Shoes
Chamberlain and Sons
About 1775-1780, 18th century
Fibre: silk (brocaded), linen; skin: leather
12 x 6 cm
Gift of Mrs. J. Reid Hyde
M972.53.1.1-2
© McCord Museum
Description
Keywords:  Shoes (37)

Description

Accessories are a vital part of the McCord's Costume collection. This late-18th century shoe, part of the Museum's collection of 540 pairs of footwear, is of the finest quality. It originally belonged to a member of Montreal's leading Molson family. In the 18th century, small feet were a must among stylish ladies, and very dainty shoes like these are characteristic of the period. It was also fashionable to have shoes made of the same fabric as one's ball dress: a beautiful gown in the same brocaded silk as this pair of shoes may therefore once have existed.

Exhibition Label

Because of an error in dispatching goods from a ship in 1778, we know that Quebec City merchants imported luxury shoes from Chamberlain and Sons, just like these. Thomas Aylwin described the contents of a full trunk, hopeful that the merchant who had picked up his trunk by mistake would switch. Like most shoes of the 18th century, the right and left are identical in shape.

Text from the exhibition 90 Treasures, 90 Stories, 90 Years