One of a pair of shoes for a girl, figured silk embroidered with silks and gold thread and sequins, China, Qing dynasty, 1800-1850

Girl's shoe, one of a pair. Its upper made of mauve silk damask and edged with black. It has a slightly upturned toe with blue, white and gold silk-embroidered applique whose form resembles an animal's face, with a motif that looks like a pair of eyes. It has thick soles made of layers of felted paper with a final layer of leather at the sole, whitened around the edges.

Given by Miss Caroline Nias and Mrs Baynes

Original description at accession:

"Shoe, consisting of a foundation of papier mache, coated with white paint and soled with leather, of an upper of mauve silk damask, embroidered at the toe with floss silks in shades of blue and tiny tinsel spangles in green and crimson; the upper is edged above with black satin, and below with green woolen cloth, the embroidery is edged with black silk braid.

Chinese, first half of 19th century.

Greatest length (heel to toe) 63/8cm.
Greatest width (of sole) 2 cm.

Given by Miss C.Nies and Mrs Baynes.

The embroidery forms a floral pattern.

Paint cracked or worn away in places."

There is a descriptive label in one of the shoes that says:
"Girl's shoe with thick leather sole, the upper of silk damask embroidered with coloured silk and gold thread and decorated with sequins. CHINESE; first half of the 19th century. Circ. 301-1922"

According to Valery Garrett, young children's shoes have auspicious designs meant for protection from evil in the form of a dog, cat, tiger, or pig for protection and good fortune, with features such as large eyes to spot lurking evil.

Registered File number 1922/5416.

T.185-1922