A pair of flat slippers of red leather, Egyptian, ca. AD 300-700 (probably). Decorated with incising, punchwork and a square, applied, gold leaf medallion.

A pair of flat slippers of red leather. Egyptian, ca. AD 300-700 (probably). Pointed toe and round heel. Turned technique with rand. Sole: Straight. Stitching pattern and cord remain from waist to seat (rough V connected to a teardrop). Upper: Leather layer with extra padding at waist and seat. Skinny waist of 17mm with circular seat of 40 mm, sewn with running stitch. Padding ends at top of waist. Vamp mostly covered (except at instep) with punched waffle-hatching. At instep, high throat, there are five incised lines, either side, of a wide V shape, cutting across half the vamp and crossing at the centre. The bottom line, either side, is longer. The lines appear slightly overcut in the middle. Instep is cut straight across with a central oval knop. Mid-vamp is an applied, square medallion of gilded layer of openworked leather. Outer square contains a diamond and the inner has floral shapes. Inner shape is a short-cross with cross arms teardrop shaped. The quarters are 3mm thick and cut wide down to the heel where they end as an open heel. There are two, thick leather threads either side, holding the quarter to the treadsole.

Acquired from D.B.Myers Esq.

A pair of flat slippers of red leather, Egyptian, ca. AD 300-700 (probably). Decorated with incising, punchwork and a square, applied, gold leaf medallion. Made using the turned technique with rand. Acquired from D.B.Myers.

Coptic footwear was generally made of leather, primarily using the turned technique to produce a slipper or shoe with a straight sole. Slippers often included a rand at the vamp and a fibre padded sole sewn together with prominent stitching or insole tab. They show variation in the form and height of the instep. Shoes were generally slip-ons and also show variation in the form and height of the instep. Footwear was highly decorated in geometric and floral designs. Often a variety of techniques were used in combination with the most popular being dyeing, gilding, openwork and appliqué.

841-1903