Shoes, white kidskin slippers with ribbon bow, 1860s-1870s, top and sole view

1860s-1870s. Slippers. White kidskin shoe with a medium vamp (toe) having a recede toe construction (a flat, low profile with no toe box) and a sightly rounded square toe shape. The vamp is sewn to the quarters (backs) at the sides. The quarters are sewn together at center back. The vamp is decorated with a large multi-lobed silk ribbon bow. The cut ends of narrow cord or elastic ankle ties remain inside the shoes. All edges are bound with silk twill tape. The sole is leather with a knock-on leather-covered heel. The soles are undifferentiated left from right. Lined with cotton. A paper maker's label is glued to the insole. Professionally made. Hand-sewn.

The Irma G. Bowen Historic Clothing Collection digital catalog was produced by the UNH Library Digital Collection Initiative, supported in part by a grant from the Mooseplate program and New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. Additional funding provided by the E. Ruth Buxton Stephenson Memorial Fund.

Photography copyright, Astrida Schaeffer.