Shoes
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
cotton, silk
Classification
Shoes
Culture
American
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Alice Raphael, 1940
Accession Number
C.I.40.179.3a, b
Art Historical Context
Step into the elegant world of 19th American fashion with these delicate *Shoes* from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. Crafted an unknown artist, this pair exemplifies the refined footwear of the Victorian era, when women's attire emphasized grace and modesty. Donated as a gift from Mrs. Alice Raphael in1940, they offer a tangible glimpse into everyday elegance or special occasions in antebellum or post-Civil War America. Made from cotton and silk, the shoes highlight the era's textile innovations. Cotton, abundant due to America's booming textile industry, provided a sturd...