Evening slippers

1855–65

Not on view

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

Object Information

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

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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