Pattens, 1760-1790, detail of stitching

1760-1790. Pattens or clogs, overshoes worn to protect a shoe. The leather sole is completely flat and is undifferentiated left from right. It is shaped with a very pointed toe and is built up to match the instep of a heeled shoe, with a ninety degree drop from the instep to the level where the heel of the shoe worn with it would have been supported. The sides of the built-up part of the patten are covered with silk cream damask. The latchets closing the pattens around the vamp (toe) of a shoe are made of the same silk cream damask and would have had a removable buckle added to them when worn. Professionally made. Hand-sewn.

The Irma G. Bowen Historic Clothing Collection digital catalog was produced by the UNH Library Digital Collection Initiative, supported in part by a grant from the Mooseplate program and New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. Additional funding provided by the E. Ruth Buxton Stephenson Memorial Fund.

Photography copyright, Astrida Schaeffer.