On View
Taking the Stage Gallery
Exhibition
Taking the Stage
Designed by
Norris, Patricia, American, 1931 - 2015
Worn by
Ejiofor, Chiwetel, British, born 1977
Created by
Western Costume Company, American, founded 1912
Subject of
Northup, Solomon, American, 1808 - 1875
Date
2013
Medium
leather and wood
Dimensions
H x W x D (left (a)): 7 5/8 × 4 × 12 in. (19.4 × 10.2 × 30.5 cm)
H x W x D (right (b)): 7 7/8 × 4 1/4 × 12 in. (20 × 10.8 × 30.5 cm)
Description
These shoes were worn by Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup in the film 12 Years a Slave (2013). The brogan shoes have a high leg and squared toes, with dark brown leather uppers and stacked wooden heels. The soles and heel bottoms are made from leather. The shoes close at the front of the legs with lengths of leather cord that are knotted near the ends. The shoes have been distressed for filming.
On the interior leg of each shoe is a strip of white tape with the word WESTERN handwritten in black ink, with an adhesive barcode in the proper right shoe near the tape that reads "WESTERN COSTUME" above the barcode and the number "40734580" below it. There is no barcode sticker inside the proper right shoe, but handwritten in black ink below the white tape is the text "WCC / 40734580". Another piece of tape with the number "806" handwritten in black ink is adhered at the interior proper left side near the top of the legs. Handwritten text below this tape is recorded in both shoes in black and green ink that reads "874 / 157 [strikethrough] / WCC / 11" with the barcode number also written again in the proper right shoe only. The text "11 / MADE IN MEXICO" is stamped on the interior tongue of each shoe.
Classification
Clothing - Costume
Type
brogans (footwear)
Topic
Actors
Clothing and dress
Costume
Costume design
Design
Film
Men
Slavery
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the Western Costume Company
Object number
2015.158.2.6ab
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd557cdb216-4de4-4b54-a8f3-fa1fa41e461a

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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