Original: Embroidered Satin Pumps, c.1849

I wanted something c.1859 in honor of Candlelight Tours, but these shoes just spoke to me:

Women's embroidered shoes, American, c.1849. LACMA.

 

Not only are they my favorite colors (green and purple), but these are also the first shoes I've seen from this era with embroidery on silk. Embroidered slippers are one thing, but generally when I see a pair of silk shoes from this era, the upper is a plain white (or sometimes black). These ones have a lovely tone-tone grape motif, as well as purple bows, and a slightly gathered lighter purple ribbon around the upper edge as well.