SOLD

Man's Silk Boots
Second half 19th c

of black satin with pointed toes, detailing of leather piping, the rigid soles of hand stitched leather sewn with hemp, with a green leather trim to resemble shagreen, lined with natural coloured cotton, the sole 9 1/2 in; 24 cm, the front height 14 1/2 in; 37 cm

Comments

It is such a shame about the stitching coming undone at back of boots because these are otherwise really nice. The leather piping reinforced the seams. This type of boot was worn by men, both Manchu and Han, for general use. The thick soles were made of 7 cm thick felted paper with a leather sole. Originally when the Manchus were nomadic, horseriding tribes, a rigid sole boot allowed them to stand upright in their stirrups, to take aim when shooting arrows. The soles were made shorter than the vamp at the toe tomake them easier to walk in. See: Chinese Dress by Verity Wilson p 28

Condition

Excellent apart from back seam has come undone on both boots 3 1/2 in; 9 cm from bottom. Slight wear to sole.