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Cultural Context

used by upper class women

History Of Use

Foot binding was practiced from about 1000 years ago until the early years of this century, spreading to all except the lowest classes and to most regions, with the exception of minorities, the Hakka, and Kwangtung peasants. Originally a symbol of leisure and gentry status, it was also emulated by the peasantry, despite the fact that it prevented women from doing heavy work. Bound feet kept women physically helpless and confined to their homes, and were considered erotically appealing.

Iconographic Meaning

The embroidered cash are a symbol of wealth.

Description

A pair (parts a-b) of shoes for bound feet. The soles of each shoe are made of white cotton fabric, and the thick arch, and heel, in one piece, are of the same fabric over wood(?) lined with finer white fabric. The outer surface, except for the sole, is covered with silk. The lower part is made of light blue-green silk with embroidery consisting of multi-toned pink flowers, and butterflies. The upper part is made of red silk, trimmed with black silk, and multi-coloured silk braid. At the front, there is lattice pattern of pink silk. The body of the shoe has several layers of stiffened fabric.