Wednesday, October 05, 2011

scrumptious red dancing slippers







We found these divine red leather dancing slippers last week-end. They retain their original label from a Boston store on Marlborough Street that pledges to mend all rips! One faded pink bow has gone missing perhaps during a long ago waltz! We investigated throat, waist(isn't it funny how a shoe is described in terms of the human form?) etc. and have dated the shoes to c. 1815-1830. The tiny inside heel leather is the most wonderful shade of gold! The shoes are straights but ink scratchings inside one indicate left! Women of the period rotated their shoes so their delicate slippers stayed fashionably straight! Can you just imagine the lady who donned these slippers dancing the quadrille with its wide variety of rapid, skimming steps, such as the chassé, jeté assemblé and entrechats. I wonder if she ever had to avail herself of the guarantee of a free mend!! Do you think a suitor found the lost bow and kept it as a love token?!

2 comments:

Robin's Egg Bleu said...

They're to die for!

Sherri B. said...

They are sweet and the color is delicious. Can you just imagine having to change your shoes back and forth...ouch!