Embroidered Baby Shoes, 1830s and 1840s
Subject
Accessories
Title
Embroidered Baby Shoes, 1830s and 1840s
Date
ca. 1830 - 1849
Format
4 inches long x 1 3/4 inches wide [10.3 cm x 4.5 cm]
Description
These hand sewn, white satin baby booties feature ornate embroidery in polychromatic silk satin stitching. Their small size with limited evidence of wear suggests that these were worn by an infant who had not yet learned to walk.
The embroidery is of interest, as it provides evidence that the fabric had a previous purpose. Parts of the embroidered design are not symmetrical or have been cut off by seams. This suggests that the shoes were made from fabric taken from a garment, which would have been a practical re-use of materials for a middle-class family. When compared to the scale and pattern of others, the silk embroidery on these shoes is similar to those found on nineteenth century aprons.
Children's shoes, much like children's clothes, mimicked the styles worn by adults. Square-toed women's slippers were popular during the 1830s and 40s. Square-toed, front lace booties, with three to four holes for laces, came into children's fashions during the 1830s and worn throughout the 1840s.
The embroidery is of interest, as it provides evidence that the fabric had a previous purpose. Parts of the embroidered design are not symmetrical or have been cut off by seams. This suggests that the shoes were made from fabric taken from a garment, which would have been a practical re-use of materials for a middle-class family. When compared to the scale and pattern of others, the silk embroidery on these shoes is similar to those found on nineteenth century aprons.
Children's shoes, much like children's clothes, mimicked the styles worn by adults. Square-toed women's slippers were popular during the 1830s and 40s. Square-toed, front lace booties, with three to four holes for laces, came into children's fashions during the 1830s and worn throughout the 1840s.
Source
Donor: Leola Warburton
Identifier
URI 1953.27.11
Contributor
Erika Holshoe
Collection
Citation
“Embroidered Baby Shoes, 1830s and 1840s,” Historic Textile and Costume Collection, accessed May 5, 2024, https://uritextilecollection.omeka.net/items/show/253.