Slippers
1845–65
Medium
Leather
Classification
Slippers
Culture
French
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Herman Delman, 1954
Accession Number
2009.300.4721a, b
Art Historical Context
These elegant leather slippers, crafted the French maker Melnotte between 5 and 1865, offer a glimpse into the refined world of mid-19th-century French fashion. During the Second Empire under Napoleon III, footwear like these became essential accessories, reflecting social status and the era's emphasis on luxurious personal adornment. Melnotte, a noted Parisian artisan, specialized in high-quality shoes for the elite, blending functionality with subtle sophistication. Made from supple leather, the slippers highlight the craftsmanship of the time, where tanning and stitching techniques produce...