A brown leather slipper, ca. AD200-500, Egyptian, Akhmim (probably); Decorated with gold leaf and openwork.

An incomplete flat, brown, leather slipper. Egyptian, c.AD200-500 (possibly). Poor condition. Semi-pointed toe and round heel. Turned technique. Treadsole: Straight. Cracked, dirty and worn. Stitching holes and some cord remain around perimeter. Midsole: Layers of papyrus. Missing round edge of tread and waist and thinning at the seat. Insole: Leather. Waist to seat missing. Cracked, dirty and worn. Stitching holes that held the layers remain with some cord. Shaped with a V leading into a circle (at waist) and leading into a teardrop (at seat). Upper: Two layers. Inside is a plain, brown leather. Upper side is decorative. From toe to vamp are horizontal incised lines; then a line of applied gold leaf in a V shape with stitching; then two lines of V shaped square, openwork threaded with leather strips and gold leaf; then two lines of cutout, interlaced waves with central stitching along the lines; then two V lines of the square, openwork and ends with one line of applied gold leaf and stitching. Vamp ends in a high throat and point over instep. Probably had a circular knop which is now missing.

Objects 2-1888 to 9-1888 bought together for £12, from Henry Wallis.

An incomplete flat, brown, leather slipper. Egyptian, c.AD300-700 (possibly). Made using the turned technique. Elaborately decorated with gold leaf and openwork. This slipper was acquired from H. Wallis Esq.

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.

2-1888