Damesschoen van zwart leer versierd met zwart reptielleer en opstaande klep op de wreef c. 1940 - 1950

These women's shoes, made from black leather and reptile leather by H.J. van Gaver, are full of subtle textures that are worth lingering over. I mean, you can almost smell the leather, can’t you? The deep black color absorbs light, making the surface details stand out even more. There’s a kind of wrinkling and creasing that suggests movement, and I imagine this shoe was designed to be comfortable as well as smart. The reptile leather on the front adds a touch of luxe and glamour, and these minute details reflect the quality of the craftsman’s approach. The heel is fascinating, its stacked texture is unexpected and bold, and contrasts with the sleek design of the shoe. The color is a real study in blackness, a very specific tone that would look different under different lighting conditions. These shoes reminds me of Man Ray's photographs, which often play with texture and form in a similar way. Like Ray, Van Gaver invites us to see everyday objects in new and unexpected ways.