Slipper
Date1891
MediumCotton, rush
DimensionsObject/Work: 75 x 26 x 75 mm
ClassificationsCostume
Terms
Object numberC08881
DescriptionPair of rush soled shoes or slippers, with cotton or linen canvas uppers and long straps. They have woven esparto rush soles and the uppers are decorated with wool in a cross stitch pattern with a floral motif in the centre. These shoes are known as alpargatas or spargetts and are from the Basque region of Spain. They come from a very ancient form of shoe, originating in Ancient Egypt and then through the Romans who added an upper to the rush base. Spanish took the alpargatas to the Americas and they became widely adopted there. They are a still a popular shoe style today, with a simple and often colourful cotton upper and flat jute sole.On View
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