SOLD

Men's Chinese Shoes
c 1870

Unusual. These have been purpose made with the motifs carefully placed. What a delight to wear! I assume these were made in China, because the cotton lining is so obviously Chinese. I feel also that the leather insole is poorer quality and therefore Chinese. I think these were made in China for a western man living there, rather than the uppers being made in China and exported to Europe to be made up.

Cataloguing

black satin slippers the front embroidered with a full blow lotus, the sides with a quirky bird and smaller lotus flowers, all in bright clear shades of coral,pinks, greens, blues and ivory, edged with black braid, all hand stitched, lined with Chinese cotton and with leather insole, the leather sole hand stitched, 3 x 10 in or 8 x 25 cm

Condition

Very good. The uppers are in remarkable condition. The back area is slightly worn down. Inside is quite clean. The soles show wear. Both shoes have slight wear to the satin where the hard leather inside back, and under the cotton lining, has rubbed on both sides. The centre back seam on the left foot has come away 1/2 inch. There is also about an 1 inch slit to the front outer area near the bird's beak.