Not currently on display at the V&A

Pair of Baby Boots

early 19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This pair of baby's boots is made of pale blue silk embroidered with white thread. They are laced with three separate pale blue silk ribbons and lined with white silk. The outside is decorated in chain stitch with flowers and leaves set within borders. The sole is quilted with four parallel lines of satin stitch running from toe to heel.

The boots are thought to have been made during the early nineteenth century. The use of silk both inside and out along with ribbons and elaborate embroidery means that the boots would not have been cheap to produce. We do not know who owned them originally but it is possible that they may have been given to an expectant mother or newborn baby.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Baby's Boot
  • Baby's Boot
Materials and techniques
Hand-stitched, embroidered and quilted silk
Brief description
Pale blue silk baby's boot with silk ribbon and white silk lining, hand stitched; England, early 19th century.
Physical description
Baby's boot; pale blue silk embroidered in satin stitch and chain stitch; white silk lining and pale blue ribbon laces.
Dimensions
  • Height: 8.5cm
  • Width: 3.5cm
  • Length: 11cm
Credit line
Given by Messrs Harrods Ltd.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This pair of baby's boots is made of pale blue silk embroidered with white thread. They are laced with three separate pale blue silk ribbons and lined with white silk. The outside is decorated in chain stitch with flowers and leaves set within borders. The sole is quilted with four parallel lines of satin stitch running from toe to heel.

The boots are thought to have been made during the early nineteenth century. The use of silk both inside and out along with ribbons and elaborate embroidery means that the boots would not have been cheap to produce. We do not know who owned them originally but it is possible that they may have been given to an expectant mother or newborn baby.
Collection
Accession number
T.536&A-1913

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Record createdJune 8, 2007
Record URL
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