A fine pair of brocaded silk shoes, 1721, of dark green and ivory silk brocade woven with pink and blue carnations, edged in green braid, with white leather rand, pink damask heels, sharply pointed toes, lined in soft tan leather, the tongues backed in Chinese-yellow silk, 25cm, 10in long; together with an excerpt copy of the Kenwrick family tree (3) Provenance: The pattern of the silk is commensurate with the wedding date of the original owner - Miss Mary Oliver Field of Bristol (b.1695, d.1742) who married the Reverend Edward Kenwrick in Offenham, Worcs on the 26th December, 1721. She probably had a sumptuous gown to match. Mary's mother gave her £200 as a wedding present to rebuild the rectory at Atherstone on Stour, Warwickshire (her new husband's parish), a 3-storey doubled fronted Georgian brick building still in existence today. Her husband Edward (b.1694, d.1762) was vicar at Atherstone between 1719 and 1762. The shoes have remained in the family and are being sold by a descendant.

The condition is exceptional for the age. It seems that they had very little wear/use after her marriage to the Rector! Each shoe – the pink damask is faded on one side. Green upper areas are strongly coloured and good. Pinholes in straps where buckles were originally placed very, very slight rubbing to very tips of toes