This pair of rare antique Chinese bound foot lotus slipper shoes date from the late 19th century. They are all hand stitched and made of a lavender purple silk jacquard fabric with pastel raised padded satin stitch embroidery work. There is a narrow pastel silk trim edging along the top with ladder rung threads down the front and back with heel lift flaps. The shoes have quilted hand stitched purple and white fabric bottom soles and small perfume storage brocade trim covered heels. They are lined in linen. These delicate slipper shoes measure 4 1/2 inches long. For over a thousand years Chinese women's beauty was judged by the size of their feet. The ideal foot was three inches long and shaped like a lotus bud flower. These unique little slipper shoes have been gently worn and do have some wear the back heels, a few breaks on the front thread strings and some slight fade. These are truly a beautiful one of a kind piece of Chinese textile art and would make for a wonderful display piece.
Item number xb733

$150