"Lotus" shoe with plaster cast of the bound foot ·  China · ID: 3050255

Description

wood, cotton, silk, old handwritten collection label: “Villaes Anvers 25 Grand Goddaerts - Pied de Dame Chinoise avec le petit soulier”

The tradition for foot binding was widespread in China well into the 19th century. Small feet were considered an ideal of beauty and should increase a woman’s chances of a good match. Chinese women wanted their feet to look like lotus buds.

The ideal size for feet was considered to be just 3 inches (about 7.6 centimetres) ! Binding girls feet was started when they were between five and seven years old. The girls started taking their first agonisingly painful steps in the winter months when the cold made their feet numb, which was supposed to cover up the worst pain.

The object “Lotus” shoe with plaster cast of the bound foot with the object ID 3050255 was part of the auction Online Auction on September 27, 2023. The object with the lot number 3 achieved a sales price of EUR 320 with an asking price of EUR 150.

Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about Asian art.