Beaded slippers
Accessories
2020.12.3.2ab.AC.SH.C1880.CN
Description
Pair of women's slippers for bound feet, fabricated of several layers of thick beige and blue linen. The beaded decoration covering the entire exterior, including the bottom of the soles, represents a pattern of multicolour right-facing swastikas in light blue rhombi on yellow background. The opening of the shoes is framed by a band dominated by small white flowers on green background.In China, the swastika symbolizes eternity. It is also frequently visible in statuary temples, decorations, clothing motifs in all Buddhist countries, the Far East, Southeast Asia and Central Asia.
The custom of foot binding was practiced in China from the Xth to the beginning of the XXth century on girls and young women from privileged social classes at first, before spreading to a wider part of Chinese society. Shoes specially made for bound feet were also considered to be a source of beauty. There were variations in style, form, and decoration among the provinces and even among the villages. The pair shown here are completely covered with glass beads, including the bottoms, so they were probably intended for decoration or perhaps for burial.
Materials
Glass beadsLinen
Origin
vers 1880 ChinaDimensions
Width : 5 cmLength : 17 cm
Height : 4 cm