Shoes, white satin evening slippers, 1854-1856, detail of label

1854-1856. Evening slippers. White silk satin indoor shoe with a long vamp (toe) having a recede toe construction (a flat, low profile with no toe box) and a slightly rounded square toe shape. The vamp is sewn to the quarters (backs) at the sides. A very small silk ribbon bow is attached at the front of the throat (opening). All edges are bound with silk twill tape. The sole is thin leather, completely flat with no heel, which is undifferentiated left from right. The quarters are lined with kidskin, the vamp is lined with cotton. Professionally made and imported. 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.