On View
Slavery and Freedom Gallery
Exhibition
Slavery and Freedom
Created by
Unidentified
Date
mid 19th-early 20th century
Medium
hide, wood, and metal
Dimensions
H x W x D (overall (a) left): 3 5/8 × 10 7/8 × 5 15/16 in. (9.2 × 27.6 × 15.1 cm)
H x W x D (overall (b) right): 3 1/8 × 11 1/8 × 6 1/8 in. (7.9 × 28.3 × 15.6 cm)
Description
A pair of mule-or slipper-style shoes with wooden soles and leather uppers. The soles are shaped for the left (a) and right (b) feet. The shoes have rounded toes and carved, slightly raised heels. The shoes have a vamp only, so that the leather would not fully enclose the wearer's foot. Each vamp is made from a single piece of leather that doubles over at the point where the upper attaches to the sole, as well as at the foot opening, for extra strength. The vamps are pegged to the wooden soles with metal pegs. The shoes slip onto the wearers foot and do not have any closure methods.
Collection title
Robinson Family Collection of African American History
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Type
mules
Topic
Clothing and dress
Reconstruction, U.S. History, 1865-1877
Slavery
U.S. History, 1865-1921
U.S. History, Civil War, 1861-1865
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Avis, Eugene, and Lowell Robinson
Object number
2014.179.3ab
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5a4e020fd-b14d-4f13-b497-797ae1d83205

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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