Summary
This pair of Japanese slippers with leather and paper soles was exhibited at the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition. Amongst dramatic displays of silks, bamboo, porcelain and enamelled ware, the Japanese court of the International Exhibition included 'some very curious articles of apparel made of fibrous paper', including these slippers with paper soles (Official Catalogue, p.cxxi).
The 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition aimed to show international and local 'works of industry and art'. Displays of traditional cultural materials and objects focused on economic and aesthetic value rather than cultural significance.
Physical Description
Pair of slippers of woven cream fibre, interwoven with darker fibre. Blue trim; flat leather and paper soles.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
Clothing & Textiles, Public Life & Institutions, Royal Exhibition Building
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Acquisition Information
Unknown Acquisition Method from Unknown Source
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Place & Date Exhibited
Royal Exhibition Building (REB), Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1880-1881
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Place & Date Made
Japan, circa 1880
Place made deduced from the Japanese style and display in Japanese Court of the 1880 International Exhibition. -
Inscriptions
Paper label adhered to one sole inscribed: Presented to the Trustees / of the Public Library and / Technological Museum / Melbourne. A smaller paper label (same adhered to both soles) has printed inscription: I / & T. Museum / Melbourne / 18211
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Classification
Public events, Melbourne international exhibition 1880, Exhibition heritage
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
23 cm (Length), 8 cm (Width), 3 cm (Height)
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Keywords
