Slippers 1865 - 1885

These purple velvet slippers with their delicate quilting and ornate buckles were made by E.D. Burt & Co., a fine shoe maker. Slippers like these evoke a sense of boudoir culture, and the domestic sphere, raising questions about women's roles and status in society. The color purple, historically associated with royalty and wealth, imbues the slippers with an aura of luxury and exclusivity. This speaks to the class distinctions prevalent during the time they were made. Consider how the slippers might have shaped or reflected the wearer’s identity, conveying messages about their social standing, personal taste, and gender. Did the wearer feel empowered or constrained by the social expectations associated with such delicate footwear? Did the comfort or confinement become an emotional reality of everyday life?