Pair of shoes

This pair of women's shoes is notable for their sensuously curving French heels. The style was called ‘Pompadour’ after Madame de Pompadour, mistress of the Louis XV. The heel, placed directly under the instep, made the foot look small. This was considered highly desirable, but it also made the walker totter dangerously as it gave no proper support.

The uppers are covered in brocaded silk from Lyons, dating from the 1730s, and the heel in silk damask. The shoes have a small buckle fastening.