About T.W. Greig
T. Watson Greig of Glencarse, Perthshire, Scotland (1837–1912) was more than an artist fascinated by capturing fashion; he was a collector, antiquarian, and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland who possessed an almost obsessive devotion to the history of the shoe and felt a duty to prevent their beauty from being lost to the sands of time.
At Tondo Designs, T.W. Greig is not only the man who created the gorgeous shoe illustrations that inspired the Last & Slipper collection but also the character and storytelling voice behind it.
The Way of Greig: Description, Insinuation, and Verdict
Greig almost certainly wrote his own descriptive text, and his voice is historically interesting with an edge of sharp-tongued wit. Every description typically includes:
· Material Description: He called out and named all details, often elevating them to match their wearer ("imperial lace," "regal rosette").
· Social Commentary: He included all relevant gossipy details, along with his own observations, in a way that tells us about the lives that were lived within these shoes. For example, elopements, royal balls, and theatrical triumphs.
· His Own Verdict: Woven in between the material and commentary, Greig makes his verdict about the shoe known. Was it “royal”? “Hardworking” (in a bad way)? “Extravagant" (in a good way)? He was extremely confident in his judgements, and we like to imagine him a much-desired guest at chatty soirees exactly for this reason.
Old Art, New Life
Greig is the keeper of Victorian shoes and the women who wore them, to the benefit of all who observe his work. By reimagining his 19th-century illustrations as contemporary ceramic tondi and wall art, we are fulfilling our brand's core mission: Old Art, New Life. We invite you to see these shoes as he did—not just as objects of fashion, but as time capsules of social history, theatrical drama, and aristocratic flair.