Slipper fronts

Object name

Date made

20th century

Place made

Description

Black felted wool slipper fronts with a painted pattern for vines, leaves, and flowers, partly worked in colourful cotton threads.

Content description

20th-century black wool slipper fronts with a painted pattern of vines, leaves, and flowers, partly worked in colourful cotton threads. The sides of the shoes remain unworked with the painted pattern lines visible while the roses and smaller, four-petalled flowers on the front vamp of both shoes are worked in cotton thread using French knots, satin, padded satin, and stem stitches. The worked areas retain a basted outline around the flower and leaf motifs.

This type of slipper was often worn at home in the later 19th century and throughout the 20th century by men and women. Patterns like this were frequently purchased as kits to be worked at home, arriving with the pattern pre-printed on the fabric. When completed, this fabric would be cut to shape and attached to leather or wooden soles.

Dimensions

width: 33cm
length: 53cm

Materials

Stitches

Motifs

Catalogue number

COL.43

Other numbers

RSN 2483
© Royal School of Needlework