Evening slippers 1845 - 1865

These evening slippers were made by Gundry & Sons and are an object that speaks volumes about the social rituals of their time. Imagine the late 19th century, a period where etiquette and presentation were paramount, especially for women. Shoes like these were not merely functional; they were signifiers of status, taste, and adherence to societal norms. Note their delicate construction and refined materials, which speak to a life of leisure and luxury, far removed from the practicalities of manual labor. Think about the women who wore these slippers. What drawing rooms did they grace? What conversations did they overhear, perhaps in silence? Their footwear was a part of a carefully constructed image, a performance of femininity that both empowered and constrained. These slippers prompt us to consider the silent narratives of those who wore them, of the expectations they carried, and the subtle ways in which they navigated their world.