Here's the story of them. In 1824, Lafayette accepted the invitation of American President James Monroe to tour the United States. The nation was preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary and people were excited to honor one of the most famous heroes of the American Revolution.
All sorts of parties, meetings, dinners and presentations were organized in his honor as he toured every state in the Union (there were 24 at the time). And of course, ladies and gentlemen both wore his image or his national colors to honor him. These shoe rosettes, made from lovely silk ribbon, were fashionable symbols of respect for this Hero of the Two Worlds.