Pair Chinese Double Luck Lotus Slippers, c. 1850

These dainty, pointed slippers, made of cotton and silk embroidered with pink flowers, were shaped to resemble a lotus bud and enhanced the diminutive shape of bound feet. A practice that began in the Tang dynasty and reached the height of its popularity in the Qing dynasty, foot binding was a painful process intended to make a woman's feet as small as possible by restricting bone growth from an early age. The smaller the feet the more attractive and erotic they were, giving elite women a mark of elegance and a distinctive - albeit tortured - gait of small, light steps. These silk lotus slippers...

These pointed silk slippers, beautifully embroidered with pink plum blossoms, were shaped to resemble a lotus bud and enhanced the diminutive shape of b...

These pointed slippers, beautifully embroidered with light blue plum blossoms on black silk, were shaped to resemble a lotus bud and enhanced the diminutive shape of bound feet. A practice that began in the Tang dynasty and reached the height of its popularity during the Qing dynasty, foot binding was a painful process intended to make a woman's feet as small as possible by restricting bone growth from an early age. The smaller the feet the more attractive and erotic they were, giving elite women a mark of elegance and a distinctive - albeit tortured - gait of small, light steps. These beautifully preserved lotus slippers...

Each of these pointed slippers, crafted of beautifully embroidered silk, were shaped to resemble a lotus bud and enhanced the diminutive shape of bound feet. A practice that began in the Tang dynasty and reached the height of its popularity during the Qing dynasty, foot binding was a painful process intended to make a woman's feet as small as possible by restricting bone growth from an early age. The smaller the feet the more attractive and erotic they were, giving elite women a mark of elegance and a distinctive - albeit tortured - gait of small, light steps. These beautifully preserved lotus slippers...

A pair of rare late 19th century hand stitched and hand tooled leather shoes with hand embroidered with gilt metallic threads. Amazing antique Mughal gold...

Circa 1860-1880 France Charming pair of men's slippers embroidered in wool in a very assertive Second Empire floral design! Cream cotton and leather lining, tan leather soles and hee...

Amazing vintage Middle Eastern Moorish gold embroidered shoes. Ceremonial wedding slippers, embroidered with gold thread. Aladdin, Ali Baba Arabic genie style with gold and leather sole and classic curled toe amazing to use as decorative objects or to use them for your next Moroccan or Indian party. Handmade Arabian flat slip on shoes with pointy curled toes. Measures: 12" x 4". Will fit a size US 6 European size 36 Hand stitched and hand tooled leather shoes with hand embroidered with gilt metallic threads. Amazing antique Mughal gold...

This rare and well preserved pair of circa 1880 Potawatomi moccasins is an exceptional example of 19th-century Northeast Woodlands Native American craftsmanship. Hand-stitched from n...