Fig. 28.Fig. 29.Fig. 30.
Fig. 28.Fig. 29.Fig. 30.
Fig. 28.
Fig. 29.
Fig. 30.
On page 13 we have two shoes from Africa, Figs.21 and 22.The first, of yellow leather, is quite simple indesign, but the latter is more elaborate in decoration. Fig.24shows an Indian shoe, while Fig.23is a Persian boot, whose pointed front is supposed to have been designed for the purpose of preventing the wearer from kicking up the dust, so unpleasant in hot countries.
In France the clothing of the foot has always been a subject of special consideration, and many have been the styles that have emanated from there. Among the first was the long pointed shoe, called thepoulaine(Fig.25), in England namedcrakowes. (This name,poulaine, seems to indicate that the fashion came from Poland, though the pointed shoe is supposed to be of Eastern origin.) These shoes grew both in favor and length, for a number of years, until thepoulainehad reached such proportions that it was necessary to fasten it to the knee by means of a chain of gold or silver, while in order to keep it in shape it had to be stuffed with hay, straw, or fine moss. The length of thepoulainewas determined in the same manner as the height of thechapineys, by the rank of the wearer, and it was no uncommon sight to find a nobleman with hispoulainesome twelve inches or more in extent, while the upper part of his shoes would be cut out to imitate the windows of a church.