Despite their rather grand appearance, this pair of fancy shoes would have been suitable for daytime wear around the house and when receiving intimate friends. When a lady ventured out of the house, boots were worn, and in the evening or when receiving guests more formally, heeled shoes were the norm. The enormous bow covering the instep was fashionable in the late 1860s and early 1870s. This example stands out for its high quality, attractive choice of contrasting materials, and good state of preservation.
