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Date: |
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Description: | Pair of women's bound foot shoes
These embroidered red silk shoes only measure 140mm (5� inches) in length and 24mm (1 inch) in width.
Legend has it that lotus or lily foot slippers first appeared in China in the 11th century when Empress Taki was born with deformed feet. To save her future embarrassment, her father announced that only women with very small feet could be truly feminine and desirable. As a result women began to bind their feet. The tiny, virtually unusable feet were a mark of status, beauty, gentility and sexual attractiveness.
The binding process began at age 5 to 7 years old. Bandages were wrapped around the foot to bend the four smaller toes inward under the foot towards the heel until it resembled a half moon.
During a painful 2-3 year period, the size of the shoe was gradually reduced. The most highly desired goal being a size only three inches in length.
China. 1890-1900
1997.222.68 |
Location: |
Northampton Museum and Art Gallery |
Source: | Northampton Museums | Identifier: | http://www.northampton.gov.uk/site/scrip... | Go to resource |
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