Flat soled 'slipper' shoes were made with minimal variation for over 50 years. They were widely worn between 1800 and 1850, after which time they gradually fell out of fashion. They were not made to stand up to much wear, with their delicate fabric and thin leather soles. Shoes such as this would usually have been reserved for indoor wear, evening dress or special occasions. This cream silk satin pair has survived in pristine condition, and appears to have been barely worn, if at all. They are associated with the 1854 marriage of Elizabeth Wroughton Richards to the Reverend Andrew Nugée. The bride's wedding wreath also survives (see T.6-2008).
These shoes were made in Paris by a shoemaker called Chapelle. They would have been imported for sale in shops across Europe. This style of shoe, without left or right foot shaping, is called 'straights'. To assist the wearer, there are two small paper labels inside reading 'Gauche' (French for left) and 'Droite' (right).
Physical description
White silk satin slippers, straights with silk ribbons and small bows. Leather soles, lined with white kid for insole and back of shoe, with cotton lining to toe.
Place of Origin
Paris (made)
Hampshire (worn)
Date
1854 (made)
Artist/maker
Chapelle (maker)
Materials and Techniques
Silk satin, leather, lined with cotton and kidskin, trimmed silk ribbon
Marks and inscriptions
'Boulevard des Italiens No 28 / CHAPELLE - Cordonnier / Brevete de SAS la Princesse Louise de Bade PARIS'
Paper label inside insoles
'Gauche'
Left
Paper label in one shoe.
'Droite'
Right
Paper label in one shoe
37 1/2
26
Inked on sole of one shoe, also inked inside.
37 1/2
27
Inked on sole of one shoe, also inked inside.
Dimensions
Length: 24.5 cm heel to toe, Width: 5 cm widest point of sole
Object history note
These slippers are associated with the marriage of Elizabeth Wroughton Richards to the Reverend Andrew Nugee on the 8th August 1854 at Farlington, Hampshire, very probably at St Andrew's..
Elizabeth Wroughton Richards (1820?-2/11/1877) was the daughter of Revd. Edward Tew Richards, Rector of Farlington (the next door parish to Wymering). The Richards were Rectors from 1782 to 1925. Following her husband's death, she went on to marry a Dr. Field in 1867, and died 10 years later.
Andrew Nugée (b.31/10/1813 - d.25/12/1858) was the 2nd son of Francis James Nugée who came from a family of Huguenot tailors who emigrated from Bordeaux to Cork between 1748-1752. They made a name for themselves with "Nugee's waistcoats" in the early 19th century. He was at Brasenose College, and became a curate in Lambeth prior to becoming Vicar of Wymering in 1851. The living was purchased by his father in the 1840s with a view to presenting his son as Vicar when the next vacancy should occur.
Descriptive line
Pair of wedding shoes, white silk satin straights with silk ribbons and small bows, leather soles, Chapelle, Paris, 1854
Labels and date
Wedding accessories from the Nugée family
Many wedding artefacts are preserved because marriage is so significant an event in the lives of the participants. Some pass from one generation to the next, becoming family heirlooms. The Nugée family kept this group of fragile objects because of their importance to the family history. The objects conjure up the romantic prettiness typical of many Victorian weddings.
Shoes
Chapelle
Paris, France
1854
Silk satin, cotton and leather
V&A: T.4:1, 2-2008
Wreath
Britain
1854
Feather and silk-wrapped wire
V&A: T.6-2008
Wedding favours
Britain
1854
Cotton, silk, paper and wire
V&A: T.7, 8-2008
Bridesmaid's fan
Britain
1854
Paper leaf with metal spangles, wooden sticks and guards
Associated with the wedding of Elizabeth Wroughton Richards and Reverend Andrew Nugée, 8 August 1854
V&A: T.14-2008
Shoes
France or Britain
1887
Silk satin, cotton and leather
Associated with the wedding of Edith Elizabeth Alston and Francis Edward Nugée, son of Andrew and Elizabeth Nugée, 1887
V&A: T.5:1, 2-2008
Collection given by Edward Nugée QC [2011]
Production Note
Associated with a wedding at Farlington, Hampshire, on 8th August 1854
Materials
Silk satin; Leather; Kidskin; Cotton; Ribbon, silk
Techniques
Shoe-making
Categories
Marriage; Footwear; Fashion; Accessories; Clothing; Europeana Fashion Project; Interiors; Household objects; Shekou; Values of Design; Design Society
Production Type
Ready to wear
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
