Name/Title
EMPROVA black leather high-heeled ankle-strap sandalsEntry/Object ID
2025.6.32Description
Pair of women's open-toe, high-heeled ankle-strap (slingback) sandals in black leather. The vamp is a strappy, semi-caged arrangement of multiple narrow leather straps combined with plaited/braided leather elements crossing the instep and toe. A thin adjustable ankle strap with a small metal buckle secures the heel. Heels are tall, sculpted, curved ("comma"-profile) covered in black leather over a leather sole; the toe is open and tapered. Footbeds are natural tan leather bearing the maker's foil label at the arch. The two shoes match in material, strapwork, heel, and label and form an original pair.Use
Belonged to Mirta Martínez, who obtained directly from the factory, where she briefly worked helping her brother, who was the director (CEO). Mirta treasured the shoes and did not allow her daughter to wear them, keeping them for special occasions. Mirta's brother returned to Cuba from abroad, where he worked as a diplomat, in 1989, and was then given the position of EMPROVA's CEO.Context
The maker, EMPROVA (Empresa de Producciones Varias), was a state enterprise producing assorted goods.
The form — a strappy high-heeled evening sandal — represents domestic dress production rather than the utilitarian state output (military/work boots, school "Pionero" shoes) that otherwise dominated; state production largely could not move much beyond military and work boots, prophylactic, and school footwear, making decorative women's sandals a comparatively scarcer line.Collection
The Martínez Suquet family collection, Mirta Martínez Forteza collectionAcquisition
Accession
2025.6Source or Donor
Mirta SuquetAcquisition Method
GiftClothing/Dress/Costume Details
Article of Clothing/Dress/Costume
SandalsClothing Sex
FemaleTextile Details
Material
LeatherColor
BlackMade/Created
Manufacturer
EMPROVADate made
circa 1989Time Period
1980sPlace
Country
CubaRegion
Caribbean, Central AmericaLabel/Inscription/Signature
Type
LabelLocation
insoleTranscription
Producido
por
EMPROVALanguage
SpanishTranslation
Produced by EMPROVAMaterial/Technique
LabelNotes
Insole foil label at the arch (enhanced and legible): a gold stylized monogram/emblem at top, then "PRODUCIDO POR / EMPROVA / Cuba" ("Cuba" in red).Dimensions
Dimension Description
Size 7 (US Women's shoe size)Parts
Two shoes (left and right)Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Mirta Martínez FortezaNotes
ownerRelated Places
Place
City
Pinar del RíoState/Province
Pinar del RíoCountry
CubaRegion
Caribbean, Central AmericaNotes
useCreated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsCreate Date
March 31, 2022Updated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsUpdate Date
June 17, 2026
