Child's Shoes
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Walter Chipman
(American, born 1822)
ShoemakerMade by
Unknown
Datemid 18th-mid 19th century
MediumHand-stitched silk and cotton, with metallic and silk thread embroidery; wooden heel form, metal bells
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x height x width): 5 3/4 x 2 1/8 x 1 1/2in. (14.6 x 5.4 x 3.8cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Howard B. Haylett
DescriptionChinese child's shoes, made of dark orange silk damask, embroidered in dark blue, light blue, white, and gold metallic threads with Oriental floral motifs. The pointed toes are covered in dark blue velvet, overlaid with narrow blue/white plaited tape in a looped pattern. The overall shape of the shoe is like a teardrop or wedge. The throatline is bound with pale green silk and edged with narrow white and blue scalloped silk tape. The wooden platform sole is a slanted bridge shape, with a concave curve in the center. This sole is covered with blue, green and orange embroidered white silk on the sides and natural, plain-woven cotton on the bottom. The sole is hollow, and has a bell inside so that it jingles when it moves. The inside of the shoe is lined with plain cotton; the sock lining is a white cotton with a woven stripe. Stitched to the center back of the shoe is a 1 1/4-inch tab of white silk, bound with pale green silk and backed with cotton.
Object number1967.66.2a,b
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