Cinderella's Slippers, Wedgwood Style

While we may not have the iconic glass slippers on display, our museum boasts a truly enchanting alternative: Wedgwood Jasperware shoes and a purse. These extraordinary pieces have become one of our most beloved attractions, sparking conversations among visitors.
Jasperware, Josiah Wedgwood’s masterpiece, is an unglazed matte stoneware produced in several colors, most commonly soft blue.  Wedgwood chose the name “Jasper” after the mineral, because he thought the finished stoneware resembled that variety of quartz.  The stoneware is molded into a variety of vases, urns, bowls, trays, and other items.  Later, relief decorations, often white, are applied, resulting in a cameo effect.  Josiah Wedgwood performed thousands of experiments to perfect the product, and when introduced to the public in the late 18th century, Jasperware was instantly popular and continues to be produced, collected, and cherished today.

Crafted by luxury shoemaker H&M Raynes in London and introduced at the 1958 National Shoe Fair in Chicago, these unique shoes are a testament to mid-century design. Available in pink, lavender, and celadon, the shoes feature leather uppers and striking Jasperware heels. A fascinating detail? Each pair was accompanied by instructions advising wearers to tread lightly, as the delicate heels were prone to breakage. Originally priced at a hefty $150 – a substantial sum in the 1950s – these shoes were a symbol of luxury and style.  Completing the ensemble is a lavender leather purse adorned with a distinctive gold-trimmed Jasperware medallion, designed by Jay Herbert of New York. Together, the shoes and purse offer a captivating glimpse into the world of high fashion and Wedgwood’s artistic brilliance.