Pair of shoes

Shoe styles gradually became simpler during the 1780s, a change that was accelerated by the French Revolution. Conspicuous symbols of wealth, such as the extravagant buckles and high heels of earlier shoes, were no longer appropriate.

Women's shoes were also known as slippers. This pair is typical in having broad flattish heels, long pointed toes and a low U-shaped throat (other examples have a V-shaped throat). Simple but elegant, they were made from a wide range of beautiful coloured leathers.

The label refers to a 'Ladies’ cheap warehouse for shoes'. This suggests that the shoes were available to a fairly wide public.