Need dating help on these 30s style shoes

MagsRags

MagsRags

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I didn't have a chance to handle these before I bought them, but based on the style and beautiful details, I thought they were 30s, and perhaps boudoir slippers. They're satin with silver leather details.

embroideryshoegallerya.jpg


embroiderytoea.jpg


But when I got them and had a chance to inspect them closely, I found a "made in China" imprint on the composition sole.

embroideryshoestaga.jpg


So when are they from? Could they be recent?
 
I have no idea I thought they might be new because of the stamp. But I think in my gut they are 30's...Most of my old 30's silk lingerie is made in China.

They are really really pretty.

-Chris
 
Those are so pretty, regardless of the age! I'm loving that embroidery. Can you approximate if the 7 1/2 size is comparable to today's 7 1/2? I don't know much about vintage shoes, but it always seems like they run so much smaller.
 
The size is right for modern 7 1/2. But I think the main reason vintage shoes seem to run small is because so many of them are narrow.

I'm glad to hear that they look 30s to you too, Chris. The width is stamped B as opposed to M. Hmm...
 
I used to think all of these Chinese made shoes were 30s, and perhaps most are, but I think your pair could be postwar 40s. The Chinese aren't turning out too many shoes of this quality during the war because they can't ship them to any markets, but they are made again immeadiately following the war in the same prewar style with some slight differences, such as heel shape. However, the open toe in combination with the slingback places these very late in the 1930s and I am quite sure they were being made right through 1940 and 1941 while China was at war with Japan, but the U.S. was not yet involved. The quality on these are superb - as good as anything you will find coming out of France or Italy at the same time. Its a shame more isn't known about the Chinese shoe manufacturers of that era. I believe most were made in and around Shanghai (the Paris of the East). Anyway, I would think they are either 1938 - 1941, or 1945 - 1948, and its very difficult to tell which end is which in these styles.
 
Those are absolutely beautiful. They successfully combine Western and Chinese styles seamlessly.
Hollis
 
Thank you all! It's so nice to find my original instincts were correct. I never realized that products like these were imported from China (and labeled as such) so long ago. I've had them for nearly a year trying to decide what to do with them. Now I can list them on the website.
:singing:
Vintage contains such mysteries and unexpected discoveries.
 
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