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muji

Pair of Clogs
1960-1980 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Wooden clogs (muji), such as these, were worn by men and women in Hong Kong in the mid-20th century. Each clog is carved from a single block of wood, with an upper made from plastic. Men tended to wear plain clogs, utilitarian footwear that was ideal for butchers and fish mongers working in wet markets, while women preferred clogs that were decorated with lacquered designs of birds and flowers. At weddings, brides would also wear clogs decorated with red soles and uppers.
Up until the 1950s and '60s, many Hakka people in Guangdong province still wore wooden clogs. Numerous towns and cities in southern China specialised in clog-making, with pieces exported to Hong Kong.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Shoe
  • Shoe
Titlemuji (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Lacquered wood; plastic; leather
Brief description
Pair of clogs for a woman (muji), lacquered wood with red plastic uppers, China, 1960-1980
Physical description
Pair of Chinese open-styled wooden clogs for women with lacquered designs on red wooden inner sole, with red plastic upper nailed to the sole with leather, and the edge of its sole painted in black.
Dimensions
  • Length: 23cm
  • Width: 8.5cm
  • Height: 5.5cm
  • Heel height: 4cm
Credit line
Supported by the Friends of the V&A
Object history
Description at accession:

"Descriptive line: Left and right shoe of a pair of shoes for a woman, lacquered design on red, wooden inner sole, red plastic upper. Hong Kong 1960-1980. Textile, China, plastic.
Index card from Varrett indicates that it’s purchased from Taipo market.
Length: 24cm
Accession date: 01.03.1995
Acquisition source: Garrett, Valery"

In South East Asia, these open-styled wooden clogs are also often called "chakiak".
Summary
Wooden clogs (muji), such as these, were worn by men and women in Hong Kong in the mid-20th century. Each clog is carved from a single block of wood, with an upper made from plastic. Men tended to wear plain clogs, utilitarian footwear that was ideal for butchers and fish mongers working in wet markets, while women preferred clogs that were decorated with lacquered designs of birds and flowers. At weddings, brides would also wear clogs decorated with red soles and uppers.
Up until the 1950s and '60s, many Hakka people in Guangdong province still wore wooden clogs. Numerous towns and cities in southern China specialised in clog-making, with pieces exported to Hong Kong.
Collection
Accession number
FE.154:1, 2-1995

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Record createdJune 25, 2009
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