1900 Chinese Woman’s Slippers for Bound Feet

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3D Model

Object Details

maker

unknown

Description

Mrs. Lee had bound feet her entire life. Her daughter, Grace Mok, noted in an oral history that her limited mobility and difficulty in walking required her to be accompanied wherever she went. Though these are not Ng Shee Lee’s shoes, they are similar to those she wore.

Foot binding in China may have originated as early as 900 AD. Though outlawed by the conquering Manchus in the 17th century, the Han Chinese retained the social practice into the 20th century.

Location

Currently not on view

Credit Line

Mrs. William Chapin Huntington

date made

1900

ID Number

AG.A.2937

accession number

1926.93542

catalog number

A.2937

A002937

Object Name

woman's shoe for bound feet

Shoes

Object Type

Shoes

Physical Description

silk (overall material)

leather (overall material)

Measurements

overall: 4 in x 4 in; 10.16 cm x 10.16 cm

place made

China: Shanghai, Shanghai

See more items in

Work and Industry: Agriculture

Family & Social Life

Cultures & Communities

Clothing & Accessories

Chinese American

Data Source

National Museum of American History

referenced

Shoe

Chinese Americans

Metadata Usage

CC0

Link to Original Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-0e67-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record ID

nmah_1362083