Stylised tulips spread across the toes of these elegant mules (backless shoes). The buds seem about to burst into bloom, elegantly framing the central flower.
Mules became fashionable for indoor wear during the 1850s. They were made in a variety of colours and designs. Some were quilted or lined with fur, while others were woven with elaborate designs or embroidered with beads. Motifs from the Middle East were popular. The fabric for the upper on this example was woven in Turkey and then exported to Europe to be made up into a shoe.