One of the first things I bought when I meandered into an antique store as a young adult was a thin, cream cotton baby bonnet. I really couldn’t tell you why I bought it other than I felt drawn to it and it was cheap (meaning it was something I could afford!) I’ve always found it a little funny that I’m so attracted to antique baby things given that I’m not a “baby person.” I’m not one to seek out the baby in the room to make sure I get to hold her. But give me all of the antique baby dresses, Christening gowns, high chairs, rocking horses, silver rattles, and tiny leather baby shoes. I find these items to be so full of hope and story and whether I buy them or not, I am always drawn to admire and coo over them.
That’s why I like to use them in decor…they add a sense of story and history to a room even if the piece was bought instead of inherited.
So, this summer, instead of cooing at a pair of Victorian leather baby shoes, I bought them. Oh my…all of those buttons are just glorious! The craftsmanship of these antique baby shoes is impressive.
I’ve learned the best way for me to really admire something is to paint it, so that’s what I did.
I love how it turned out so much that I decided I would buy another pair of antique baby shoes when I went shopping in Stillwater, MN a couple of weeks ago.
I love the “spat” style of leather boots. They are just so sweet.
So I painted those as well and almost immediately decided I needed to paint a series of antique baby shoes.
I will make them available as prints for people who are interested. I think they would be very sweet art for a nursery, but you can really hang them anywhere.
I was so excited about how the last painting turned out, so I went onto Etsy and eBay to look for well-priced antique baby shoes. I found a who is selling off lots of her mother’s collection of antique baby shoes, so I bought two lots that had shoes in them that caught my eye.
The pair on the bottom right look particularly old. I would guess the boots with the buttons are Victorian/Edwardian. The black and white shoes are probably mid-1900s.
The little pair of slippers are a bit of a question mark for me. I’ve been trying to do some research on them since they are pretty unique and look like one of the oldest pairs in the group.
I’ve looked around and haven’t found a pair like them. Has anyone seen antique baby shoes like these? I thought they might be from the 1700s or early 1800s, but I haven’t been able to find a similar pair to compare them to.
Anyway, they will all be fun to paint and then I will find a way to display them in our next house. I am on the hunt for shadow boxes that I can use to frame some of the antique pieces I have like purses, starched collars, and these antique baby shoes. It’ll be a fun project to make and hang interesting artwork throughout the house.
Always dreaming and planning…
16 Responses
Many museums have textile collections, such as the ROM [ Royal Ontario Museum], here in Toronto. Perhaps a trip to a museum, or purview of collection catalogues might give some answers. Many years ago we travelled to Virginia and visited Colonial Williamsburg, I remember a Cobbler who was quite informative of the making of shoes, as it is a living museum, the ‘workers’ for each area, black smith etc were very informative.
I would guess that style, tanning, use or function could be relative to the area of manufacture. I do know that expenditures on children was for the ‘better off’.
Lovely collection and I am inspired to frame my own Christening gown recently found in my mum’s place, as we are cleaning it out.
Kim
I love antique baby shoes as well. My favorite pair is a red leather with 3 metal red buttons up each side of the shoes. I have singles and pairs. I thought it would be cool to tie onto a small artificial tree to display. I think I like your idea of shadow boxes so much better. I am looking forward to you painting your next pair and how you display in your new home. By the way did your rug beaters get packed up or sold?
Love this idea of displaying them in shadow boxes, will be a very interesting collection. You just need a cool shoe button hook to go with them.
I have my christening gown professionally framed on my bedroom wall. My grandmother made it and made all my clothes until I was five year old. Then made all my special dresses. And my christening dress is the only piece of clothing I have saved so I cherish it and it looks rather iimpressive on that wall !
They are so cool. I love them!!
You may want to contact the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto ,Ontario Canada. They have an extensive collection of footwear that span decades ,cultures, countries
and fashion trends. Their website and Instagram accounts are worth a peruse but I am sure if you contact them with photos and your queries they’ll be able to help you with your mystery shoes. https://batashoemuseum.ca/
I couldn’t help but notice that one shoe (the slippers) is more worn than the other (& maybe even a different size) ; is it possible that they are from two different pairs ?
I have a pair of my baby tan shoes of WWII era. One could not get white shoes in those days. Back in colonial times here in New England one would put a shoe in a wall or fireplace area when the home was built.
How special that you still have those! What a wonderful keepsake and a part of family history.
And yes, as I was looking around for information about antique baby shoes, I found several articles about “concealed shoes” being a tradition in England. I didn’t know that carried over into the US, but it makes sense that it did.
Some similar shoes/slippers can be found here:
https://uritextilecollection.omeka.net/items/show/247
http://nationalclothing.org/824-fancy-kid-shoes-in-the-1800s-wealthy-19th-century-children-wore-lovely-footwear-photos.html
https://store.the-gatherings-antique-vintage.net/victorian-trinket-keepsake-memory-box-baby-shoes-merit-reward-hair-lock/
Thank you so much! Those links were helpful and I found a pair similar to the very old leather shoes with the ties. Looks like those might be the earliest shoes at about the 1830s. Based on other styles you shared, I’m guessing the slippers might be French from the mid-1800s.
Have you looked at painted portraits of children from 1700’s or early 1800’s? you might find shoes and outfits that would date them,
This is just a hunch- the slippers seem to be a bit different. They feel French to me. Have you looked at baby shoes that have come to this country from somewhere else?
The collection is very sweet. My mom was always drawn to small things. There’s just something about baby and toddler items, maybe because they bring up memories of a precious innocent time with little ones.
Such a sweet collection! I have quite a few cobbler shoe lasts made of wood but my favourite is a pair of tiny baby shoe ones! I think they’d look nice in a shadow box too.
I love the baby shoes and garments too! Last Sunday, Magnolia wore a handmade dress my grandmother made for me to church. I have photos of both my girls wearing it, and now the granddaughters. Third generation wearing the dress — then I’m framing it!
I have always loved antique baby items, with shoes being a favorite. And like you, I’m not a “baby person” either. I’m so glad to know there’s someone I share this obsession with.
I can’t wait to see the series of paintings and how you display them in your new home!
Have a blessed week!
Nina – The Collected Farmhouse