A centuries-old slipper is stepping into the spotlight in a new exhibition.
It was once believed to have been owned by King James II.
The silk mule is the centrepiece of Killerton’s annual fashion exhibition, History off the Hanger, and is part of the National Trust’s extensive costume collection in Devon.
Shelley Tobin, costume curator at Killerton, said: "This slipper brings together many qualities we value in historic clothing- craftsmanship, social context, and the traces of the people who made and used it.
"While we may never know exactly how the slipper changed hands, it invites us to imagine royal travel, gift-giving and the long journeys objects can take through history before arriving in our care.
"It is possible that the slipper’s mate may be out there somewhere.
"I wonder if one day, it may come to light."
Dating from the late 17th century, the finely crafted slipper is thought to be linked to King James II and a documented royal visit to Coventry in 1687.
The slipper came into the National Trust’s collection through Paulise de Bush, a notable costume collector who bequeathed her collection to the charity after her death in 1975.
Slippers of this kind, also known as mules, were typically worn indoors and could be extravagantly decorated.
The Killerton slipper is made from fine-grained leather and brocaded silk, hand-stitched to the sole with white thread.
Although the silk has faded to a golden yellow, traces of a floral pattern woven in blue-green thread remain visible.
Research suggests the slipper may have been left as a royal gift during King James II’s stay in Coventry.
During his visit, he was honoured with a banquet at the Guildhall and lodged nearby in what later became Palace Yard, a site destroyed during the Coventry Blitz.
It was customary for royal guests to leave gifts, often embroidered gloves.
In this case, a pair of silk slippers may have been given.
Only one has surfaced to date.
A faded label inside the slipper and a handwritten museum tag from de Bush’s private costume museum are among the few clues to its origins.
Killerton’s exhibition History off the Hanger runs from February 14 until November 1 and explores personal stories told through historic dress.
The displays span everything from royal silks to modern synthetics, each garment offering insight into the lives, identities, and moments in time they represent.
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