EXTRAORDINARY PAIR OF CHINESE LADIES SHOES FOR BOUND FEET (FOOT BINDING)

19th century. Just 4 1/4" length, about the same width as a man's shoe! Beautifully made with lavishly embroidered silk with black cats and foliage, the stitching as fine as the legendary “blind stitch”. Beautifully tufted soles with meant to be viewed as the lady reclined. One with red sealing wax export seal. Very minor distortion and virtually no wear as the owner was unable to walk and they were worn when seated in the belief that being incapacitated as such, indicating the owner's superiority by dedication to idleness. Real show stoppers!