Pair of Silk Lotus Slippers

c. 1850
$188 USD
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Dimensions
W: 5.0" D: 7.0" H: 3.0"
Materials
Materials
Silk
Cotton
Purchase Quantity
Collection #
CFC112C
Estimated Shipping
$20

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.

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Elizabeth Krueger | Elizabeth Krueger Design

“PAGODA RED was extremely supportive in helping to pull accessory options together for the Lake Forest Showhouse. After providing them with details and our vision on how we were looking to finish our space, Laurene helped curate options that made it easy for us to edit and finalize. It's also no surprise that the unique pieces we used in our showhouse space were some of the first to sell.”

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