{"product_id":"1867-1870-oppermann-co-evening-shoes-princely-house-of-wied-berlin-antique-shoes-victorian-shoes","title":"OPPERMANN Antique Lilac Leather Evening Shoes, Berlin, ca. 1867-1870","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese extraordinary \u003cstrong\u003elilac silk shoes\u003c\/strong\u003e, dating to around \u003cstrong\u003e1867–1870\u003c\/strong\u003e, come with an exceptional and fully traceable \u003cstrong\u003eroyal and collector’s provenance\u003c\/strong\u003e. Their history begins with \u003cstrong\u003eWilliam Frederick Charles of Orange‑Nassau (1797–1881)\u003c\/strong\u003e, Prince of the Netherlands, and his wife \u003cstrong\u003eLuise Auguste of Hohenzollern (1808–1870)\u003c\/strong\u003e, Princess of Prussia. Their daughter, \u003cstrong\u003eWilhelmine Frederica Alexandrine Anna Louise Marie of Orange‑Nassau (1841–1910)\u003c\/strong\u003e, married \u003cstrong\u003eWilhelm Adolph Maximilian Carl zu Wied\u003c\/strong\u003e, the 5th Prince of Wied.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmong their descendants was \u003cstrong\u003eWilhelmine Friederike Auguste Alexandrine Marie Elisabeth Luise zu Wied (1880–1965)\u003c\/strong\u003e. Two years after her death, these shoes were auctioned at \u003cstrong\u003eChristie’s\u003c\/strong\u003e together with other garments and accessories from her estate. They were purchased on \u003cstrong\u003e11 July 1967\u003c\/strong\u003e by the renowned collector \u003cstrong\u003eDoris Langley Moore (1902–1989) - \u003c\/strong\u003eone of the most influential private collectors of historic dress and the founder of the \u003cstrong\u003eFashion Museum in Bath\u003c\/strong\u003e (est. 1963).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom Langley Moore’s collection, the shoes later entered the celebrated archive of \u003cstrong\u003eHelen Larson\u003c\/strong\u003e, the California‑based collector, historian, and costume expert whose holdings have been featured in major exhibitions worldwide. Parts of the Larson Collection were auctioned on \u003cstrong\u003e1 April 2018\u003c\/strong\u003e, which is how these exquisite shoes resurfaced.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe shoes themselves are a rare and refined example of \u003cstrong\u003emid‑Victorian luxury footwear\u003c\/strong\u003e. Made of \u003cstrong\u003eexceptional lilac silk\u003c\/strong\u003e, they feature an \u003cstrong\u003eopen instep\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003etwo matching silk bows\u003c\/strong\u003e, and a \u003cstrong\u003elight‑colored leather lining\u003c\/strong\u003e. The original maker’s label reads: \u003cstrong\u003e“Oppermann \u0026amp; Co. * 60 Unter den Linden 60 * Berlin”\u003c\/strong\u003e, the full name being \u003cem\u003e“Shoe and Boot Factory for Men and Women”\u003c\/em\u003e. Unfortunately, as with many 19th‑century ateliers, no further documentation of Oppermann \u0026amp; Co. has survived.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe shoes are in \u003cstrong\u003eexcellent condition\u003c\/strong\u003e, with only one small defect on the side—remarkable for their age and delicate material. Their provenance suggests they may have been worn either by \u003cstrong\u003eLuise Auguste, Princess of Prussia\u003c\/strong\u003e, or by \u003cstrong\u003eLouise Marie of Orange‑Nassau\u003c\/strong\u003e, making them an object of both historical and aristocratic significance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA rare opportunity to acquire \u003cstrong\u003emuseum‑quality footwear\u003c\/strong\u003e with \u003cstrong\u003edocumented royal lineage\u003c\/strong\u003e and a distinguished chain of ownership through three of the most important collectors of historic dress.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mein Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55340867715459,"sku":"","price":3200.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0913\/1897\/6899\/files\/antique_evening_pumps_1867.jpg?v=1745147944","url":"https:\/\/www.antique-gown.com\/products\/1867-1870-oppermann-co-evening-shoes-princely-house-of-wied-berlin-antique-shoes-victorian-shoes","provider":"ANTIQUE GOWN","version":"1.0","type":"link"}