1926.84.74

Pair of Han Chinese woman's shoes for bound feet, handstitched painted glazed cotton and woven silk ribbon. About 19th century. Foot binding was practiced among some of the wealthier Han people of Northern China between the 10th and early 20th centuries. Young girls' toes were turned under and tightly bandaged, which kept the foot from growing. This caused great pain and made walking difficult. Bound or 'lily feet' were considered very attractive, and women with bound feet wore 'lotus shoes' such as these, often just 10cm inches long.