Shoe, slipper

One of a pair of Queen Victoria's dancing slippers in ivory silk satin. the shoes have a leather sole and no heel. There is a binding of ivory silk at the top edge with 6mm wide ribbons to hold the shoe on the foot. Their straight form, satin uppers and ribbon ties were the fashionable form of dancing slipper in the early 19th century. This style is preserved in modern ballet slippers.

The sole is shaped sole with a ribbed finish inside the waist and shows evidence of indoor wear. There are small nail holes around the edge and one at toe and heel. Turnshoe construction. the shoe uppers have a short vamp, slightly peaked throat and one piece quarters. Poor workmanship shows in the right shoe side seams, which are not matched. There is a double row of stitching on the side seam.

The slippers are lined in off-white linen at the foreparts, with white kid lining the quarters, and a linen sock lining the insole. This left shoe's sock is inscribed, 'IIo t'. The maker's label is on the right shoe.

Gundry & Co. (Richard Gundry) of Soho Square, were Victoria's shoemaker from 1824 to 1898. They were taken over by Joseph Box & Co. in 1898.