Needlepoint slippers were typically worn with the kabbah slot dress.Two color designs using black are usually for carpet slippers worn to funerals. Krio women did needlepoint in wool yarn on canvas. The tops are done toe to toe > < on one canvas. This form is called a “house” locally. The individual designs also have names. This one is "Radio Box." When the needlepoint is finished the edges of the canvas are cut away, the back is sewn together and the fabric is lined. A male leatherworker then attaches the top to a leather sole.
Description:
Double V needlepoint for a shoe top with a dark blue background and a repeat pattern of black lozenge outlines and centers.
Provenance:
Lucille Chaveas, collected in Freetown, Sierra Leone, 2003 to 2013
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