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.
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
length: 53cm
Materials
Stitches
Motifs
Catalogue number
COL.43
Other numbers
RSN 2483
© Royal School of Needlework