Shoe Files: Mrs. Johnson's Shoe, Lynn Museum

 Looking at this shoe (only one survives) is like setting eyes on an old friend.  It is similar in look, style, material, profile and colors to the work of mid-18th century London cordwainers Thomas Ridout, James Davis and Thomas Hose, previously featured on these pages. Unfortunately, it is not labeled or marked.

Little is currently known about the owner of the shoe, other than it belonged to a "Mrs. Johnson" who was married in 1768.  (the date of her marriage is consistent with the shoe style.) It is cream silk brocade with a vibrant (though now slightly faded) floral pattern. The Louis style heel is also covered, as was the style. The toe is slightly rounded (not the upturned, pointy toe seen in examples of approximately the same time; perhaps indicating an alteration) and there was no separate left or right shoe. It is possible that shoe buckles worn with the shoe are currently in the collection of the Lynn Museum.

Eager to examine the shoe in person during a mid February visit.

8 1/2 " long x 3" wide x 4 1/2" high

Lynn Museum Collection, Shoe # 3129

Photographs, courtesy of the Lynn Museum

Thank you to Abby Battis, Curator, Lynn Museum, for her assistance.