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Pair of Princely Gold Thread Zardozi Court Shoes
Northern India
19th century
length: 23.4cm; height: 9cm
Almost certainly made for an Indian maharaja or a close relative, this sumptuous pair of blue velvet shoes extravagantly embroidered with gold thread is of
exceptional quality and condition. The shoes are soled and heeled with leather which show almost no wear - such shoes would not have been worn outside
and would only ever have been used to walk over carpet. Indeed, as part of a princely costume, they are more designed to be seen in, for official functions
and perhaps to be worn for official portraits and photographs.
The shoes are densely embroidered over a blue velvet base with raised floral patterns in thick gold thread and fine gold spangles - the spangles are
particularly fine and small in comparison with the larger examples encountered today. This type of work known in India as zardozi whereby raised gold
embroidery was added to velvet, probably was introduced by the Portuguese. Many Indian royal houses commissioned zardozi embroiderers to embellish
jackets, shoes, umbrellas and other articles with this work that were to be worn and used in the court. The zardozi embroiderers typically were Muslim men.
Each shoe has a cut out bow applied. These too are finely edged with zardozi embroidery and decorated with a profuse overlay of tiny spangles almost giving
the illusion of fish scales.
Overall, these shoes are extraordinary for the fineness and density of the zardozi decoration but also for their almost pristine condition.
References: Arts of India: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Philip Wilson Publishers, 2001; Allen, C., Maharajas: Resonance from the Past, Mercury Books, 2005.
Provenance: UK art market.
Inventory no.: 942
This Item is available - Ask about this item
Pair of Princely Gold Thread Zardozi Court Shoes
Northern India
19th century
length: 23.4cm; height: 9cm
Almost certainly made for an Indian maharaja or a close relative, this sumptuous pair of blue velvet shoes extravagantly embroidered with gold thread is of
exceptional quality and condition. The shoes are soled and heeled with leather which show almost no wear - such shoes would not have been worn outside
and would only ever have been used to walk over carpet. Indeed, as part of a princely costume, they are more designed to be seen in, for official functions
and perhaps to be worn for official portraits and photographs.
The shoes are densely embroidered over a blue velvet base with raised floral patterns in thick gold thread and fine gold spangles - the spangles are
particularly fine and small in comparison with the larger examples encountered today. This type of work known in India as zardozi whereby raised gold
embroidery was added to velvet, probably was introduced by the Portuguese. Many Indian royal houses commissioned zardozi embroiderers to embellish
jackets, shoes, umbrellas and other articles with this work that were to be worn and used in the court. The zardozi embroiderers typically were Muslim men.
Each shoe has a cut out bow applied. These too are finely edged with zardozi embroidery and decorated with a profuse overlay of tiny spangles almost giving
the illusion of fish scales.
Overall, these shoes are extraordinary for the fineness and density of the zardozi decoration but also for their almost pristine condition.
References: Arts of India: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Philip Wilson Publishers, 2001; Allen, C., Maharajas: Resonance from the Past, Mercury Books, 2005.
Provenance: UK art market.
Inventory no.: 942
This Item is available - Ask about this item
The coat of the gentleman on the left incorporates zardozi
embroidery, as do the shoes of the gentleman on the right.
embroidery, as do the shoes of the gentleman on the right.
