Infant's Shoes

Original OwnerOriginally owned by the Tennant family (American)

ShoemakerMade by Unknown

Dateabout 1680-1750

MediumHand-stitched leather

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 2 1/4 x 1 3/4 x 4 1/4in. (5.7 x 4.4 x 10.8cm)

ClassificationsCostume

Credit LineGift of the estate of Dr. George Austin Bowen

Object number1950.40.0a,b

DescriptionDark leather infant shoes, with a long tongue extending up the vamp to the ankle, and two punched tabs at the ankle, which originally would be held together with a small buckle. The tongue is flared wide at the top. The shoes are seamed only at the center back. The upper is turned out and stitched to the sole around the edges. The heel consists of a single layer of leather.

NotesHistorical Note: For many generations, these shoes were the first shoes put on the feet of a Tennant baby, this being said to "bring good luck." They were called "Christening Shoes" because they were worn on that important occasion. What led to the superstition about the shoes bringing luck is not known---in later years their use was a matter of tradition and hereditary sentiment. Family tradition says that the shoes were actually made in Germany and brought to the Colonies by the first Tennant family to arrive (in the latter part of the seventeenth century.) They were originally red leather in morocco finish, and they had silver buckles which long since disappeared.

Status

Not on view