Men wore patent leather shoes, or pumps, at court or other ceremonial events. They had a square toe, a style favoured by men and women. This pair has ribbon ties, though buckles were more usual. Both ribbons and buckles were purely decorative on this type of footwear.
Prince Albert is wearing patent leather shoes with buckles in a print of about 1840 (Museum no. E.828-1959), in which he is shown dancing with Queen Victoria.Pair of men's ceremonial or court patent leather shoes or pumps. With decorative silk ribbon tie.Pair of men's patent leather shoes, Germany, ca. 1851