Pumps: in 1790, heeled shoes were replaced by cothurns. Pumps could be custom made
that were soft, fit like gloves, more like slippers or socks. These pumps
had a low heel, low tongue, and typically had a large buckle in place of lacing
(ribbons used in place of laces, by the wealthier client). For such pumps, there
was no "left" and "right" shoes, just "cut straight". These pumps were almost
always colored black, with red heels. Dancers almost always wore red silk
stockings, too. Pumps like these were not only used by dancers, but also by
acrobats, rope-dancers, and fencers.
It should be recalled that on stage, light could emphasize gestures.
Thus mirrors, sequins, glass, metalic-thread were materials which
were used in clothing to create illumination. Girandoles (large
earrings) were used to illuminate, lending emphasis to the gesturing
head. Similarly, rings were used on fingers of the gesturing hand as
an illumination device. Neclaces were also used for illumination of
the gesturing body. Similarly, fans could illuminate the gesturing
hand, masks and hats could illuminate the gestring head, shoes can illuminate
the gesturing foot, combs and cauls can illuminate the hair or perukes
of the gesturing head, gold or silver thread can illluminate the body
(especially royal costumes).
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