Court shoes

Early men's shoes in good condition are scarce, and this pair of court shoes presents several interesting features. The red heel was an aristocratic conceit stemming from the 17th century, and worn throughout the next century. By the end of the 18th century, ornate jeweled buckles were no longer fashionable for street wear, but were still worn at court. Shoes which laced closed with a tie thus replaced latchet shoes, in which a buckled strap provided the fastening. These shoes have been altered to make them suitable for court wear: they are constructed with a tie closure, but the retardataire strap has been added to accommodate the buckle.