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Pair of Chinese Silk Lotus Slippers, c. 1850

$188
£144.62
€167.87
CA$265.12
A$296.98
CHF 155.99
MX$3,611.24
NOK 1,975.30
SEK 1,875.10
DKK 1,252.84

About the Item

These 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 give us a glimpse into this curious practice and the complicated role fashion played in gender identity throughout China’s past. From the collection of Frances and Gary Comer.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 3 in (7.62 cm)Width: 7 in (17.78 cm)Depth: 5 in (12.7 cm)
  • Style:
    Qing (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Cotton,Silk,Embroidered
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1850
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor structural damages. Minor fading.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: CFC112C1stDibs: LU820030155292

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