Items Similar to Set of Six Chinese Bound-Foot Lotus Slippers, circa 1850
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8
Set of Six Chinese Bound-Foot Lotus Slippers, circa 1850
About the Item
Each of these pointed slippers, crafted of beautifully embroidered silk, were shaped to resemble a lotus bud and enhanced the diminutive shape of bound feet. A practice that began in the Tang dynasty and reached the height of its popularity during the Qing dynasty, foot binding was a painful process intended to make a woman's feet as small as possible by restricting bone growth from an early age. The smaller the feet the more attractive and erotic they were, giving elite women a mark of elegance and a distinctive - albeit tortured - gait of small, light steps. These beautifully preserved lotus slippers give us a glimpse into this curious practice and the complicated role fashion played in gender identity throughout China’s past.
- Dimensions:Height: 3 in (7.62 cm)Width: 3 in (7.62 cm)Depth: 7 in (17.78 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 6
- Style:Qing (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1850
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
4.9
PAGODA RED is a renowned resource for designers as well as collectors of contemporary and ancient Chinese, Korean and Japanese art. They offer a curated edit of fine and provincial furniture, ceramics, scholars' objects, and paintings and textiles, each piece historically and geographically authentic.
Diamond Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 1997
1stDibs seller since 2006
1,414 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Chicago, IL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Pair of Chinese Silk Lotus Slippers, c. 1850Located in Chicago, ILThese dainty, pointed slippers, made of blue silk and embroidered with pink flowers, were shaped to resemble a lotus bud and enhanced the diminutive shape of bound feet. A practice that began in the Tang dynasty and reached the height of its popularity in the Qing dynasty, foot binding was a painful process intended to make a woman's feet as small as possible by restricting bone growth from an early age. The smaller the feet the more attractive and erotic they were, giving elite women a mark of elegance and a distinctive - albeit tortured - gait of small, light steps. These embroidered silk lotus slippers...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Historical Memorabilia
MaterialsCotton, Silk
- Pair of Chinese Silk Lotus Slippers, c. 1850Located in Chicago, ILThese dainty, pointed slippers, made of cotton and silk embroidered with pink flowers, were shaped to resemble a lotus bud and enhanced the diminutive shape of bound feet. A practice that began in the Tang dynasty and reached the height of its popularity in the Qing dynasty, foot binding was a painful process intended to make a woman's feet as small as possible by restricting bone growth from an early age. The smaller the feet the more attractive and erotic they were, giving elite women a mark of elegance and a distinctive - albeit tortured - gait of small, light steps. These silk lotus slippers...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Historical Memorabilia
MaterialsCotton, Silk
- Pair Chinese Double Luck Lotus Slippers, c. 1850Located in Chicago, ILThese pointed silk slippers are beautifully embroidered with colorful bats and golden coins, symbols of happiness and good luck, and were shaped to resemble a lotus bud to enhance one's bound feet. A practice that began in the Tang dynasty and reached the height of its popularity during the Qing dynasty, foot binding was a painful process intended to make a woman's feet as small as possible by restricting bone growth from an early age. The smaller the feet the more attractive and erotic they were, giving elite women a mark of elegance and a distinctive, albeit tortured, gait of small, light steps. These beautifully preserved lotus slippers...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Historical Memorabilia
MaterialsFabric, Silk
- Chinese Lilac Lotus Slippers with Plum Blossoms, c. 1850Located in Chicago, ILThese pointed silk slippers, beautifully embroidered with pink plum blossoms, were shaped to resemble a lotus bud and enhanced the diminutive shape of b...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Historical Memorabilia
MaterialsSilk, Cotton
- Chinese Black Silk Lotus Slippers with Plum Blossoms, c. 1850Located in Chicago, ILThese pointed slippers, beautifully embroidered with light blue plum blossoms on black silk, were shaped to resemble a lotus bud and enhanced the diminutive shape of bound feet. A practice that began in the Tang dynasty and reached the height of its popularity during the Qing dynasty, foot binding was a painful process intended to make a woman's feet as small as possible by restricting bone growth from an early age. The smaller the feet the more attractive and erotic they were, giving elite women a mark of elegance and a distinctive - albeit tortured - gait of small, light steps. These beautifully preserved lotus slippers...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Historical Memorabilia
MaterialsSilk
- Provincial Chinese Kite Reel, circa 1850Located in Chicago, ILThis unusually-shaped object is a 19th century Chinese kite reel, cleverly carved to contain small wooden beads that rattle back and forth as the reel is used. A popular past time, kite flying...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Historical Memorabilia
MaterialsWood
You May Also Like
- Austrian Set of Six Vellum Bound Books, Circa 1699Located in Atlanta, GAA handsome collection of 6 Austrian vellum bound books from the late 17th century. This antique set of six books from Austria, which retain their original vellum bindings, have Latin...Category
Antique Late 17th Century Austrian Books
MaterialsPaper
- Six Foot Model of the TitanicLocated in Norwell, MAFine cased model of the white star liner “Titanic”. Well executed model of the classic and famous four stack liner. Details include lifeboats, cargo booms, skylights, cabins, railing...Category
Vintage 1950s North American Models and Miniatures
MaterialsWood
- Antique Victorian Family Bible c.1850 Leather BoundLocated in London, GBThis is an absolutely unique antique Victorian Brown's Self-Interpreting Family Bible dated: The Bible is leather bound, enriched with gilded decoration and contains the Old and New...Category
Antique 1850s Books
MaterialsLeather
- Set of 2 Herbalist Pharmacy Wooden Jars, Italy, circa 1850Located in Milan, ITSet of 2 small wooden herbalist-apothecary jars (Natriam, Arnica), in the purest neoclassical style. The surface is finished with black and gold colored pads a cream background in th...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
MaterialsCoral
- Six Foot Model of Cup Yacht PuritanLocated in Norwell, MASix foot model of the Boston built America's Cup yacht Puritan. Fine model with planked deck, skylights with brass bars, suit of sails, etc. Mounted on a ma...Category
Early 2000s Nautical Objects
MaterialsWood
- Set of Six Vintage Aerial Toys, circa 1960Located in Barcelona, BarcelonaSet of six vintage aerials toys. By Unknown manufacturer, circa 1960. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Materi...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls
MaterialsMetal
