Only in Museum #7

These are Chopines from 17th century Venice, Wood and leather, 27 x 21 x 21 cm

It took me a while to understand that this is a pair of footwear!

The text below is verbatim from the display at the museum:

That shoes, especially female ones, are not just for walking, has been known since ancient times. In-deed, from Venus to Cinderella, sandals and slippers cross. in large strides or small steps. even the history of painting, as an instrument of identity, seduction, domination, elevation. As for “elevation” between the 10th and 17th centuries. the fashion of high heels reaches, especially in Italy, vertiginous quotas. The chopines – or Sopei, as they are called in Venice – can measure up to 50 cm, arousing the predictable invectives of moralists and the alarmed warnings of doctors.

A couple even appear in the Museo Cospiano catalog (1677), which warns that vain women. thinking “of having provided themselves with stilts in order to cover a lot of ground with a few steps, found themselves condemned to the shackles that stopped them at home against their will”

Would be great if you would join the “Only in Museum” series by posting something you found catching your eye in one of your visits to the museum. Then create a pingback to this post by including the link to my post in yours. You can also give the link to your post in the comments section below. Also, tagging the post with “Only in Museum” and “OiM” would help all readers find these posts easily.

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