Photographs provided by Joanne Haug who sells such shoes and other antiques at Reflections of the Past. (You can contact Joanne at antiques@victoriana.com). These shoes are now in negotation for a sale, but "wish lists" are accepted and the Reflections will try to obtain what you are looking to buy. Joanne's exact description reads as follows: "Pair of white leather slippers, probably early 19th century. They have two white silk tassels and are embroidered with silver metallic thread in the Turkish style. Probably made in Turkey for the European market in conjunction with Napoleon's Egyptian campaigns in 1798-1806. The soles are imprinted with three `circles.' Toes are very pointed and curl upward. Condition is very good with a tiny split at the side seam on one shoe." (Price $395.00). My thanks to Joanne for permission to reproduce these images!
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Compare these slippers to the shoes on period fashion plates. Note how much more elaborate the trim is on these shoes compared to the shoes of fashion plates, c. 1810-9. The basic slipper shape with pointed toe and trim on the front is the same however. The shoes of 1790 are more similar in trim to these shoes but have heels. Turkish style was common in the 1790s; see a fashion plate of Headdresses a la Turque, 1794 and also some famous portraits of women in Turkish Dress.
Detail, French Fashion Print, June 1790
The Bata Shoe Musuem, Other Site
Replicas of Historical Canadian Boots, "Les Bottes Sauvage" (Used in War of 1812 between America and England)
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