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English curator Amy de la Haye has written that ‘perhaps more than any other medium, worn clothing offers tangible evidence of lives lived, partly because it’s very materiality is altered by, and bears imprints of, its original owner.’
Shoes in particular are testament to this notion, revealing a history of use in the physical legacy of soiling, scuffing, creasing and repairs.
Footwear - Shoes, 1880-93, National Gallery of Victoria
Courtesy of National Gallery of Victoria
Can you reuse this media without permission? No (with exceptions, see below)
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
© Copyright of National Gallery of Victoria
Courtesy of National Gallery of Victoria
Moubray, Rowan & Hicks, Melbourne (retailer), 1878–92
Unknown manufacturer
'Shoes' 1880–93
leather, metal, glass, silk
Gift of Mr J. G. H. Sprigg, 1971
Footwear - Boots, Jean-Louis François Pinet, 1867, National Gallery of Victoria
Courtesy of National Gallery of Victoria
Can you reuse this media without permission? No (with exceptions, see below)
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
© Copyright of National Gallery of Victoria
Courtesy of National Gallery of Victoria
François Pinet, Paris (shoemaker) France est. 1850
Jean-Louis François Pinet (designer) France 1817–97
S.D. & L.A. Tallerman, London and Melbourne (retailer) (1870s)–1881
'Boots' 1867 satin, leather, metal
Footwear - Boots, Jean-Louis François Pinet, 1867, National Gallery of Victoria
Courtesy of National Gallery of Victoria
Can you reuse this media without permission? No (with exceptions, see below)
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
© Copyright of National Gallery of Victoria
Courtesy of National Gallery of Victoria
The shield-like sticker on the sole of the shoe is a clue to their intriguing history. In 1878, celebrated Parisian shoe designer Jean-Louis François Pinet engaged S. D. and L. A. Tallerman (of London and Melbourne) as his sole agents for the Australasian colonies, after being made aware that the name and brand of his house were being fraudulently used.
These elegant shoes were one of a number of pairs shipped to Melbourne and exhibited by Tallerman in order to promote awareness of the superiority of authentic Pinet styles.
François Pinet, Paris (shoemaker) France est. 1850
Jean-Louis François Pinet (designer) France 1817–97
S.D. & L.A. Tallerman, London and Melbourne (retailer) (1870s)–1881
'Boots' 1867 satin, leather, metal
Footwear - Shoes, Joseph Dawson & Sons, 1836, National Gallery of Victoria
Courtesy of National Gallery of Victoria
Can you reuse this media without permission? No (with exceptions, see below)
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
© Copyright of National Gallery of Victoria
Courtesy of National Gallery of Victoria
Joseph Dawson & Sons, London and Northampton (shoemaker) England active 19th century
'Shoes' c. 1836 leather, silk, mother of pearl
Presented by Mrs R. J. McFarland, 1987
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
