muji
Pair of Clogs
1960-1980 (made)
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.
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.
|
Title | muji (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 |
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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 created | June 25, 2009 |
Record URL |
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