Woman's Wedding Shoes
Original OwnerProbably originally owned by
Jane Stebbins Bigelow
American, born 1837
ShoemakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1870
MediumHand-stitched leather, cotton, and silk, with a lether-covered wooden heel
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 3 3/4 x 2 1/8 x 8 7/8in. (9.5 x 5.4 x 22.5cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of E. Katherine Quintard
DescriptionWhite kid leather shoes, with rounded square toes and knock-on, Louis-shaped heel. The vamp is decorated with a large cream-colored silk satin rosette which extends like a tongue beyond the throatline. The quarters are lined with white leather; the vamp is lined with white plain-woven cotton. The sock lining is white leather. The throatline is bound with silk tape which is now almost entirely worn away. The narrow tape which was laid under this binding to keep the throatline from stretching is now evident on shoe ".b." The soles are straight. The top piece of the heel is nailed on with small metal pegs.
Object number1962.26.17a,b
MarkingsStamped into the sole in the area of the waist: "1 1/2 / MM"NotesHistorical Notes: Museum records indicated that these shoes were either worn by Jane Brown Stebbins or her daughter, Jane Stebbins Bigelow. Jane Brown Stebbins married Asa Bigelow III on 20 February 1834. Jane Stebbins Bigelow married Chas Austin Denny on 10 October 1860. The shoes date to about 1870, so it is likely that they were worn by Jane Stebbins Bigelow; her mother's wedding date is much too early. (Bassett 7/19/2001)Subject Terms
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