Shoe (68.186.A)

Taupe silk velvet flat shoe with round vamp throatline and slightly pointed toe; 3/16" wide taupe plain weave silk ribbon around upper; back seam and the two front side seams bound with 3/8" wide strip of the same silk ribbon; vamp, quarters, and leather insole lined with natural color plain weave linen; straight last leather sole; ¼" high by 2 ¼" deep leather spring heel with top-piece sewn on separately; taupe plain weave silk ribbon pinned inside shoe may be what remains of a pair of ties.

Provenance Narrative According to donor family history, these shoes were worn by the donor's ancestor at a ball honoring the Marquis de Lafayette during his tour of America in 1824-25.