Victorian Silk Lace‑Up Boots

This pair of Victorian green silk lace‑up boots is a rare surviving example of 19th‑century women’s footwear, ca. 1875. Made from fine green silk and fitted with brass fasteners and a low heel, the boots are lined with red leather, giving them an elegant yet sturdy construction typical of fashionable Victorian dress. The shoes measure approx. 26 cm in length and 6 cm at the widest part, corresponding to a refined, narrow silhouette.

Condition & Authenticity

The boots show expected signs of age and wear: small rubbing to the silk around the heel and sides, slight discolouration to the green silk, staining to the linen lining, and some wear to the red leather trim. These are normal traces for such delicate and antique footwear and underline their authenticity. The laces have been replaced, a common and necessary conservation measure for shoes of this age.

Collecting Significance

As very rare Victorian silk boots, they are highly desirable for collectors of antique fashion, museum‑quality footwear, and 19th‑century textiles.

Aniline Dye Colouration

The green colour is achieved with early aniline dye, giving the silk its characteristic vivid Victorian shade.

Aniline dyes, introduced in the mid‑19th century, were among the first synthetic colourants and produced hues far more vivid than traditional natural dyes. Their brilliant, saturated tones—especially greens, purples and magentas—quickly became characteristic of late Victorian textiles and fashion.