A baby’s leather shoes, made by Coptic Christians. Egypt, 300-700 AD [2222×1780]

[Museum](http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O368495/pair-of-shoes-unknown/) A pair of flat, black leather baby’s shoes. Egyptian, ca. AD300-700 (probably). Made with the turned technique. Acquired from D.B. Myers.

Coptic footwear was primarily made with leather, often using the turned technique, to produce a slipper or shoe with a straight sole. Slippers often included a rand at the vamp and a fibre padded sole sewn together with prominent stitching or insole tab. They show variation in the form and height of the instep. Shoes were generally slip-ons and also show variation in the form and height of the instep. Footwear was highly decorated in geometric and floral designs. Often a variety of techniques were used in combination, with the most popular being dyeing, gilding, openwork and appliqué.