Marie Antoinette XII
from the shoe collection inspired by the esteemed fashion and costume plate series Galerie des Modes et Costumes Français, which first emerged during the reign of Marie Antoinette. This collection has been hailed as "the most beautiful assortment depicting eighteenth-century fashion." Capturing the essence of French elegance, these plates showcased real-life ensembles worn by the stylish women of Paris and the Royal Palace at Versailles, highlighting France's leading position in the world of fashion.
The shoes have a shape prevalent throughout the 1700s, featuring an exaggerated toe point and a high heel gracefully tucked under the arch, crafted to enhance the illusion of dainty and delicate feet.
The translation of the wording with this fashion plate states that it is of a court lady under the reign of Louis XVI, for the balls of the queen (Marie Antoinette.) As with the colours in the dress, the shoes have contrasting purple and yellow satin glazes. Small leaves that can be seen on the puffed and slashed sleeves are represented on the back of the shoe in stripes set against an ermine pattern. The braiding down the front of the dress appears to be jewelled as is the braiding along the top edge of the shoe which is studded with small coloured Swarovski crystals. The smoothness of the purple satin glaze is broken up with impressed flowers, each with a gold centre.
