Evening slippers

Realized in an interesting self-patterned silk with attractive contrasting details, these slippers illustrate the transition away from the very pointed toe and development toward the completely heelless style of ladies shoes which occurred between 1800 and 1830. The very narrow sole also illustrates a coming trend for impossibly slender and tight slippers. The design of these shoes is particularly refined, with the toe, throat, and label forming a lovely repeating curve shape. The assertion of the curves at the throat and toe underlines the movement from the pointed shapes of the early century to the square shapes of 1830s and 1840s. Preserved in the shoes is a paper label which boldly announces the shoemaker’s patronage by the Princess of Wales (Caroline of Brunswick, 1768-1821), who held this title until the ascent of her husband George IV to the throne in 1820.