TitlePair of red velvet shellwork baby shoesDatec 1880s-1950sAbout this objectA pair of decorative children’s shoes handmade from cardboard, red felt-like fabric, glitter, and shells. These miniature shoes are part of the distinctive La Perouse shellwork tradition, practiced by Aboriginal women who produced souvenirs for visitors.
From the late 19th century, women in Sydney, particularly at the Aboriginal reserve at La Perouse (established 1895), made shellwork objects such as shoes, jewellery boxes, and replicas of famous landmarks. These items reflected a Victorian sensibility for decorative crafts and became an important part of the local souvenir trade.
Although initially encouraged by missionaries as a way to occupy residents, the shellwork industry helped sustain families and challenged segregation policies, as visitors from Sydney and overseas came to purchase these souvenirs. This pair of baby shoes exemplifies the creativity, skill, and resilience of the La Perouse shellwork makers.Object No.99.50:1-2Physical descriptionDecorative children's shoes covered in red felt-like fabric with glitter and shell decorations. Hand made.Dimensions99.50-1 L: 112 mm H: 39 mm W:52 mm
99.50-2 L: 100 mm H: 40 mm W: 55 mmPlace madeSydney, AustraliaMaterialCardboardGlueFabric ShellsSourceLa Perouse MuseumOrganisations (Detailed entries)La Perouse Museum (La Perouse, N.S.W.)ThemesFirst Nations
Pair of red velvet shellwork baby shoes (c 1880s-1950s). Randwick City Council, accessed 16/01/2026, https://ourstory.randwick.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/12459
