Muiltje van rood fluweel, geborduurd met veelkleurige bloemen c. 1835 - 1845

These red velvet mules, embroidered with multicolored flowers, were crafted by an anonymous artist. Notice how the plush texture of the velvet interacts with light, creating subtle shifts in color and depth. The vibrant floral embroidery offers a textural contrast. This interplay between the soft, muted red of the velvet and the lively, raised patterns of the flowers draws the eye and invites a closer inspection. We can consider the use of floral motifs not merely as decorative but as signifiers of status and taste. In this context, the semiotic analysis allows us to consider how the creator engages in a dialogue with established codes of luxury and domesticity. The very form of the mule, designed for indoor use, suggests an intersection of personal comfort and public display. The aesthetic choices of the artisan reflect broader cultural values. The embroidery's tactile quality and organic design destabilize the fixity of form and meaning, inviting ongoing interpretation.