Slippers

Unknown

1795–1810 · leather · Costume Institute

The transition from the high-heeled shoes of 18th century to flat 19th century styles is exemplified by this pair of delicately colored slippers. The sharply pointed toe became fashionable in the later 1780s, and remained the preferred style for about twenty-five years as the heel diminished to nothingness. Seen here is a classic example of the "Italian” heel; quite short with a deeply wedged seat, tapering sharply and flaring out to a tiny top piece. The shoes are neatly trimmed in white, and beautifully burnished on the soles.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1795–1810

Medium

leather

Culture

probably British

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Herman Delman, 1954