c1880 Victorian beadwork watch/wall pocket slipper on brown

Circa 1880 beadwork watch pocket (or wall pocket)  finished in the shape of an ornate three dimensional slipper. Intended to hold a pocketwatch, this was a popular gift and patterns were often featured in ladies magazines of the time. Clear seed beads (a slightly greyish cloudy clear glass, about size 12/0) are worked over velvet fabric. The fabric was then mounted over cardboard, creating a stiff framework for the slipper shape. 8″ long by 2-3/4″ across the widest part. A twisted hanging loop of. beads adds about 2″ to the height.

Condition is generally quite good; the beadwork is in excellent condition with only a few spots of missing beads in the pattern, and a few loops along the edge near the toe. The velvet fabric was likely a bright magenta originally but has faded to a plummy-rose and there are worn spots. A few of the large “pearl” beads have cracked. The interior is lined with a smooth silk fabric which was also used to cover the sole. There is a slight crease at the narrowest part of the sole; it isn’t visible but you can feel it.

This is a lovely example of Victorian era beadwork techniques.