Antique Chinese Silk Embroidered Lotus Shoes Distressed Qing Dynasty

Emerging from the late Qing Dynasty to the early Republic era, these antique Chinese lotus shoes represent a poignant and highly collected category of historical textiles. Crafted for women with bound feet, the footwear displays intricate floral needlework—likely peony or lotus motifs—rendered in blue and white threads against a vibrant, time-worn orange silk ground. The raised platform soles, constructed of densely stitched layers of cotton and wood, are highly characteristic of the period and region. Though heavily worn by time, the pair stands as a striking study piece of traditional Chinese craftsmanship and cultural history, offering undeniable authenticity for dedicated antique textile collectors.

Specs
Maker/Artist: Unknown
Year Made: Circa 1900
Materials: Silk, cotton, wood, thread
Dimensions: 5.5" H x 4.5" W x 1.5" D

Condition
This pair is in heavily distressed antique condition with significant fraying, tearing, and loss to the primary silk material, exposing the inner structural linings. The floral embroidery remains only partially intact, and the stitched soles show heavy historical wear consistent with over a century of age.