Evening slippers
This pair of pink satin evening slippers would be unremarkable were it not for the original label by its Chinese maker. While it is possible that Hing Sheng was an immigrant, the paper and printing of the label suggests instead that he was working in China, most likely Hong Kong, Canton, or other trade center which had a sizeable Western population. The style and construction of the shoes is completely in line with Western shoes dating from around 1860, and it is clear that the maker was trained in those techniques and was producing wares for sale to a Western clientele, as there was no significant adoption of Western dress in China at this early a date.
Artwork Details
- Title: Evening slippers
- Designer: Hing Sheng Boot and Shoe Maker
- Date: 1855–65
- Culture: probably American
- Medium: silk
- Credit Line: Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Mrs. Alvah E. Reed, 1966
- Object Number: 2009.300.1559a, b
- Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute
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Mme. Grapanche
1884–86
American
1860–65
American
ca. 1835
American
1835
American
1820–30
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