Pair of stars and stripes slippers attributed to Elizabeth Keckly

Pair of stars and stripes slippers attributed to Elizabeth Keckly

Elizabeth Keckly, American, 1818 - 1907

Gideon Welles, American, 1802 - 1878

ca. 1865

A pair of men's boudoir slippers in a stars and stripes design attributed to Elizabeth Keckly (sometimes spelled Keckley). The slippers were likely commissioned by Mrs. Gideon Welles to be presented to her husband, Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy under President Lincoln. The slippers are crocheted in stripes of red and white from the toe to the heel. Across the top of the vamp is a blue band embroidered with scattered white stars. The throat of the slippers is edged in a twisted blue and red cord. The slippers have a flat, leather sole and a squarish toe.

Slavery

U.S. History, Civil War, 1861-1865

Clothing and dress

Craftsmanship

Politics

Free communities of color

Business

Keckly, Elizabeth

Welles, Gideon

African Americans

African American

Smithsonian Institution

http://collections.si.edu/search/results.htm?q=record_ID=nmaahc_2018.35.2.1ab&repo=DPLA