Museum Monday!

1839 Embroidered Baby Shoes 931.2016.54

 This week's Museum Monday lucky number is 931!  This weeks object is a cuti~patuti pair of embroidered wool baby shoes. Wools were very popular for baby things, but do not easily survive to modern day times~ they were, and still are, a favorite morning, noon or midnight snack for pesky insects. This little pair are in wonderful condition, and quite fashionable for the child who originally wore them.

 Tiny petit point embroidery covers the vamps and sides done in  multi colors of wool that are still, for the most part, quiet bright. Square toes and silk bows on the the throats are common 1830 design elements. Not only is the embroidery wool, but the base fabric is a pretty taupe wool lined with linen. The nap has worn away in some areas, but is still full and fuzzy around the embroidery.

 One could purchase shoes ready made, or work the embroidery themselves and take to a shoemaker to have made up into slippers. Embroidery patterns such as the one above were common in the monthly ladies magazines and could also be purchased. A quick google of 'Berlin Work embroidery patterns' will have you drooling in seconds!

 These little baby shoes are shaped slightly different than the adult pair above~ these have a side seam and additional ankle straps.

 Each strap has a single eyelet hole for a lace to pass thru. These have been bound round in a pale blue silk. Fully lined in linen with linen footbeds~ nothing but the best for this wee one to wear.

 This pair of shoes has an added drawstring that runs round the throats within the silk ribbon binding that tie in the center, inside the shoe. Of all my early children's shoes, this is the only pair like this I have with inner tape ties. While trying to get a better photo of them, I removed a tissue down deep in the toe, and look! I am absolutely thrilled to find a little hand written tag of provenance hidden there.

 Soles typical of the period, late 1830s to early 1850s with very square toes and round heels.