Shoes

In testament to the quality and stylishness of French slippers at the time, this pair of girls' shoes shows an unusual level of detail and fine craftsmanship for a child's shoe. While the ankle strap style was standard for infants and young children, the decoration is taken directly from contemporary women's styles. This type of elaborate tiered bow, called the fenelon, was fashionable for women in late 1860s and 1870s. The central buckle was a common feature of the fenelon, and here the entire element has been scaled down to suit the diminutive shoe. Most children's shoes were made with a plain, flat sole; the formed sole incorporated here is usually found only on better women's shoes.