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Pair of Chinese Silk Lotus Slippers, c. 1850

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:
China
Period:
Mid-19th Century
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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