"2021-02-10T00:00:00"^^ . "Label for the exhibition Shoes: Pleasure and Pain\n\nThe Powerful Mistress \nMadame de Pompadour was the official mistress\nof King Louis XV and a leader of fashion. She helped to popularise this style of shoe in which the heel is placed directly under the instep. The sensuously curving and precariously high 10.5 cm heel made the foot look petite but it also made the wearer totter dangerously, as it gave no proper support.\n\nPompadour\u2019 shoes\n1750\u201360\nFrance\nBrocaded silk, silk damask and leather; silver and pastes (glass)\nGiven by Messrs Harrods Ltd\nV&A: T.423&A-1913 (shoes); T.437&B-1913 (buckles) [2015-2016]"@en . "F, brocaded silk, 1760s, English\n\nF, brocaded silk, 1760s, English"@en . "This pair of women's shoes is notable for their sensuously curving French heels. The style was called \u2018Pompadour\u2019 after Madame de Pompadour, mistress of the Louis XV. The heel, placed directly under the instep, made the foot look small. This was considered highly desirable, but it also made the walker totter dangerously as it gave no proper support. \n\nThe uppers are covered in brocaded silk from Lyons, dating from the 1730s, and the heel in silk damask. The shoes have a small buckle fastening."@en . "Pair of high heeled women's shoes of brocaded silk. Leather sole and heel, uppers of brocaded silk and the heels covered with silk damask. Trimmed with silk ribbon"@en . . .