Wedding slippers
Unknown Artist
1860
Medium
silk, leather
Classification
Wedding Slippers
Culture
American
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of The Misses Mary L. and Katherine Gardner, 1958
Accession Number
C.I.58.26.2a, b
Art Historical Context
In the mid-19th century, America stood on the brink of the Civil War, attire embodied both romance and restraint, influenced by Victorian ideals of femininity and elegance. These delicate *Wedding Slippers* from 1860, crafted luxurious silk and sturdy leather, exemplify the bridal fashion of the era. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute by The Misses Mary L. Katherine Gardner in 195, they offer a glimpse into the personal celebrations that persisted amid national turmoil. The combination of silk—prized for its sheen and softness—and leather provided both aesthetic appea...