Chronicles of Riches: Treasures of the Bata Shoe Museum
Around the World
Asia
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Central and South America
Europe
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Behind the Scenes

Frances Walsingham, C. 1583.
Parham House, West Sussex

Pug with mule, c1730.
Sotheby's London, 16 Nov. 1988.
Photograph courtesy of Sotheby's, London

Portrait of Lord Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson.
© Bettmann/CORBIS

Portrait of Arthur Wellesley (the Duke of Wellington), victor at Waterloo in June 1815
© Bettmann/Corbis

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert dancing “La Valse a deux temps.” By J. Brandard, mid 19th century.
Victoria and Albert Museum, London/Art Resource, NY

Europe

United Kingdom

Many of the Museum's artefacts that have the strongest provenance come from the United Kingdom. In addition to the rare slapsoles liked to the Devereux family, the museum holds artefacts relating to Queen Victoria, Nelson, and Wellington. The Museum's substantial 18th century collection also includes important examples of British footwear from that period.

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Mules, embroidered with blue, green, yellow, white and light brown silk thread, silver thread and black and white braid.

Cream kid leather slap soles with gold and silver braid.

Olive green silk brocaded with brown oriental patterns.

Pair of women's mules with pointed, slightly upturned toe.

Wide square domed toe, flared heel covered in red leather and extravagant brocade suggest that these were worn by a man of high status.

Cream ribbed silk with brocaded pattern of blue and brown flowers and green leaves.

Shoes in dark brown kid printed with yellow polka dots with maker's label.

Nelson's shoe buckles, dated 29 September 1803, silver plated and inset with graduated foil backed pastes, with florets to each side, with iron heart-shaped tongue and latchet.

A letter written by the Duke of Wellington to his boot maker Mr. Hoby.

Ivory satin flat shoes with ribbon applique, ivory silk stockings and pair of cream kid gloves with blue silk trim.

Kilm silk flats with floral motif on vamp.