Fig. 37.
Fig. 38.
Fig. 39.
During the Revolution in France, there was quite a mania for classic styles in shoes, and many ladies in high society adopted the Greek and Roman sandals, which were fastened on the foot by gay-colored ribbons. Mme. Tallien once appeared at a ball in such sandals, with her toes decorated with diamond rings.
Fig. [34] shows the shoe of the unfortunate Duke de Montmorency, a victim of the relentless animosity of Richelieu. It is of black leather, with a large red heel, and entirely covered with ornaments; tradition says it was gathered on the scaffold. Fig. [35] represents a highly ornamented lady’s shoe of this period, while Fig. [36] is a shoe worn during the Regency. The heel is very high and not unlike a barber’s wig-stand; the front, however, is rather graceful in shape.
Figs. [37] and [38] are samples of the curiously carved wooden shoes which were worn by ladies at the end of the sixteenth century. Fig. [39] represents a black leather shoe of Louis XIV., with red heel; these were in high favor at court at this time.