Cork sole

This is a cork detail from the bottom part of a shoe, it is intact. The platform is slightly profiled. The length of the platform is 21 cm, it is 3 cm thick , 4.5 cm wide at the toe end, 3.5 cm wide at the heel and 2.5 cm wide at the midfoot. The majority of platforms made of cork oak bark were found in 1996 when excavating the south wing tower of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. Shoes with platforms emerged from Venice and were known as coccoli shoes. This type stood out for its high platform, descending towards the front. It was very popular in Italy in the 16th century. Archaeological shoe researchers associate this model of shoe with members of the court, or more specifically (due to the narrow width) – female courtiers. In the Middle Ages, cork was imported to Europe from the Iberian Peninsula. Interestingly, the bark removed from a cork oak tree regenerates after nine years.