Ruby Red Shoes

So often the children featured in early 19th century portraits are wearing brightly coloured shoes often red or bright blue. This evocative little pair of red shoes date from the early 1800s. They show minimal wear suggesting they were only worn for special indoor occasions and were quickly grown out of.

Made from quilted red satin and lined in off-white, they have rounded toes and leather soles. The rounded tops are decorated with delightful little cut steel buckles threaded with on red ribbon whilst the ankle straps are fastened with tiny glass buttons.

The shoes are in remarkably good condition. There is a little fraying to the ends of the ankle straps and a single worm hole to each sole.