T 02
Late 19th -early 20th c. Hand forged bronze axe (leather?) cutting tool w/ export sticker. Used for making foot bound shoes. Cultural relics are classified into precious ones and general ones. Rare and precious cultural relics, revolutionary cultural relics and those detrimental to national honor, undermining national unity and/or having a bad political effect are prohibited from export. 6.75 in. x 1.5 in.
T 03
20th c. Hand made and machined bronze hammer with decorated handle and engraved head on both sides. Used for making foot bound shoes. General cultural relics may be permitted for export upon special approval of the State Bureau of Cultural Relics. Artifacts and replicas produced after the founding of the People's Republic of China do not fall into cultural relics and may be managed as general articles. 5.75 in. X 2 in.
T 04
Late 19th - early 20th c. Hand forged iron cutting blade with embellished handle and engravings on blade. Used for cobbling Chinese foot bound shoes. Tools were ennobled in Chinese classical literature and often served as metaphorical guides or rules for modeling behavior and living virtuous lives. 5.25 in. x 3.5 in.
T 05
19th c. Hand forged iron ironing tool with extended handle. Used to make Chinese lotus shoes. Oxidation on head. 10.25 in. x .75 in
T 06
Late 19th - early 20th century. Hand forged pincers with embellished handles. Opens to 45 degrees. Used for making Chinese bound foot or, Lotus shoes. The tools used to bind the feet were ones that the women used every day and were found around the house. 7 in. x 2.25 in.
T 07
Late 19th - early 20th c. Hand forged iron scissors for cutting Chinese foot bound shoe fabric, (possibly toenails). If toenails were not trimmed properly and regularly toenails could grow into the foot, and infection or gangrene could develop. This could cause toe loss, which was actually desirable, because the foot would then be smaller. Sometimes, shards of glass would be inserted between the bindings and the foot to encourage this. 4.5 in. X 2.5 in.
T 08
Early 20th c. Machine forged iron tweezers for threading lotus shoes. Engraved with geometric sun/air symbol patterns on handle. 5 in. X .5 in
T 09
Late 19th - early 20th c. Small hand forged hooked iron awl tool. Movable washer in handle for adjusting length of needle. An awl is a small pointed tool used for piercing holes, especially in leather. This type of awl most likely was used to puncture holes in the soles of shoes to attach them to the main body. 4 in. X 1 in.
T 13
Late 19th - early 20th c. Hand forged hooked iron awl tool w/ movable ring to adjust length or interchange various needle types. thin, tapered slightly bent metal shaft, coming to a sharp point. These shafts are often in the form of interchangeable needles. 5.25 in. X 1.5 in.
T 15
Late 19th - early 20th c. Sharp tipped hand forged iron awl tool w/ cracked animal horn base and hand carved wooden handle. Normal wear in the handle and slight crack in the polished horn just below the awl haft. 5 in. X 1.75 in.
T 16
Late 19th - early 20th c. Handmade silver thimble ring with makers chop on inside. Perforation and floral motif outside. Sightly more comfortable than a regular thimble. Its design makes it easier to work with. 75 in x .5 in.
T 17
Late 19th - Early 20th c. Silver sewing needle case/holder with hidden slide out chamber. Vase shape w/ vase and flower motif embellishments. Hanging chain for belt attachment decorated w/ auspicious symbol on one end and two small bells on the other. (Open) 8.5 in. X .75 in.
T 18
Late 19th - Early 20th c. Silver sewing needle case/holder with slide out chamber. Rectangular base shape with figurative motif and Chinese fortune characters. Hanging chain for belt attachment decorated w/ auspicious symbol on one end and two small bells on the other. (Open) 11.5 in x .75 in.
T 19
Late 19th - Early 20th c. Two part silver needle case/holder w/ slide out hollow chamber. Vase and cap shape with floral motif and hanging hook on one end of chain and small bell on the other. (Open) 6.5 in. X 1 in.
T 20
Late 19th - early 20th c. Resin/varnish covered cloth needle case in the shape of two coy fish joined mouth to belly. In two parts with blue fabric for pin cushion and 4 hand made needles. Koi fish have intrigued and inspired for centuries. They are rich with symbolic significance especially in Chinese culture and history. Known universally as a symbol of strength, perseverance, love, bravery and dedication, enthusiasts collect both the living carp as well as items or art. At a site in the northern deserts of China, researchers discovered eyed needles carved from bone that were more than 10,000 years old. During the Han Dynasty, about 200 BC, Chinese blacksmiths started to make sharp, thin steel needles. Chinese tailors and seamstresses needed these thin, strong needles to sew silk, which was more and more important as China began to export silk along the Silk Road. Hand made needles were expensive and hard to come by so they needed to be kept safe in these cases. 3.5 in. X 3 in.
T 22
Late 19th - early 20th c. Light brown colored carved bamboo needle case in two parts with prefabricated string attachment to close and carry. Chinese character and striped pattern decoration. A breakthrough in needle making was the arrival of high-quality steel making technology from China in the 10th century. (open) 8.25 in. x .5 in.
T 25
Late 19th - Early 20th c. Hand carved bird motif, wood thread puller shiny lacquer finish. These types of lacquered wood thread pullers came in all sorts auspicious designs such as lions, dragons and floral motifs. The bird as pictured here, probably a magpie, symbolizes good fortune. 7 in. x 3 in.
T 26
Late 19th - early 20th c. Red lacquered carved wooden thread spool. Hollowed with exposed small wooden balls inside. Silk weaving techniques need to be passed down from generation to generation. Masters pass on their skills to apprentices, and apprentices learn gradually through practice. 9 in. X 1 in. x 1 in.
T 27
Late 19th - early 20th c. Elaborately hand carved red and black lacquered thread spool with hollowed out slits. Carved from one single piece of wood including two small balls inside which make a rattling sound when the thread is reeled in. Around 5000 years ago, silk worms were domesticated, and the sale of silk was one of China's main trades. When the Silk Route was opened during the Han Dynasty (202BC - 220AD), the production of thread and fabric flourished, and paved the way for the art of embroidery. Chinese silk is a filament silk. It is reeled straight off the moth cocoon in a long thread, and because of this it has a very high sheen. 10 in. X .75 in.
T 28
Late 19th - early 20th c. Small red and black lacquered mallet used for making lotus shoes. Dense hardwoods were especially appropriate for mallets. The red lacquer derives its color from cinnabar (powdered red sulphide of mercury).Lacquer becomes relatively non-toxic after approximately a month since, at this point, the lacquer has evaporated most of the solvents used in its production. 7.5 in. X 1.25 in.
T 29
Early 20th c. Large shiny reddish brown lacquered mallet with simple carved handle likely turned on a lathe. Coated in shellac. Likely used in conjunction with awls, edge irons, heel irons and blades for working the leather on shoe heels and soles. 8.75 in. x 1.75 in
T 30
Late 19th - early 20th c. Hand forged hook attached to hand carved geometrically patterned wooden handle. Used for lacing and leather work. The earliest pair of leather shoes in existence in China is a 4,000-year-old pair of boots made from sheep hide, worn by a mummified female corpse discovered in the ruins of the ancient kingdom of Loulan, in the deserts of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. 9.5 in. x 4.5 in.
T 31
Early 20th c. Hand carved wooden measuring tool for measuring feet and fabric. In three parts with knob screw to keep measurement in place. Measurements in inches. Pin at the head possibly to measure the circumference of circles. 8.25 in. X 2.75 in.
T 32
Late 19th - Early 20th c. Hand carved wooden shoe forms used by male actors playing women in operas . Bleached white wood. Ladle shaped splint would be bound tightly around actors leg like stilts. Lotus shoes would then be applied to the bottom “toe” to simulate bound feet. For most of Chinese history only men were allowed to act in plays and operas. 10.5 in. x 3.25 in. x 1.75 in.
T 33
19th - 20th c. Hand carved and lacquered wooden foot bound shoe forms used by men playing women in civil operas. Reddish wood with charred and carved concave. Well worn. 12 in. X 3.5 in. x 2.25 in.
T 34
Late 19th - Early 20th C. Wooden measuring stick with subtle interstitial inlaid dot markings along one side. 13.5 in. X .75 in. x .25 in.
T 35
Early 20th c. Pair of hand carved wooden heels for Chinese women’s foot bound shoes. Perforated small holes on top and bottom for attaching fabric. 2.25 in. X 1.25 in. x 1 in.
T 36
20th C. Brass heel forms for Chinese Women’s foot bound shoes. Perforated with numerous little holes to attach fabric. 1.75 in. X 1.75 in. x 1 in.
T 37
Early 20th c. Bronze ankle forms with slight oxidation/patina. Perforated with numerous small holes to attach fabric. 2 in. X 2 in. x 1.75 in.
T 38
Early 20th c. Ornate polished steel Chinese foot bound shoe buckle. Clasp in two parts. Foo dog, bird and geometric pattern motif ornately illustrated. 2 in. x 1.5 in.
T 40
Late 19th - early 20th c. Set of four large silver Chinese shoe buckles w/ two part clasps. Illustrated w/ figurative and agricultural motifs. 3 in. x 2.25 in. x .75 in.
T 41
Late 19th - early 20th c. Red lacquered and elaborate relief carved wood thread winding spool with Sun and plum blossom floral motif on one side and hibiscus or orchid floral motif on the other. The shape of the winder is called “ruyi”, a talisman symbolizing good luck. 4.75 in. X 3 in. x .25 in
T 42
Late 19th - early 20th c. Large rectangular casted iron block with deep relief sculpture of a plant pod. Possibly a lotus? Possibly used as an iron. 8.75 in. x 7.25 in. x 1 in.
T 43
20th c. Ovular hollow bronze fabric steamer with detachable cap to add water. Heavy patina on bottom. 3.25 in. x 5 in. x 2.25 in.
T 45
20th c. Ovular hollow bronze fabric streamer with detachable cap for water. Ribbed exterior. 4.25 in. X 2.5 in. x 2.25 in.
T 46
20th c. Cast bronze coal Iron in three parts. Sculptural rooster pulls back to unlatch hinge in the back to open and fill with hot coals. Large heavy handle. 4.25 in. X 2.25 in. X 3.5 in.
T 47
Early 20th c. 21 page shoe pattern book. Color prints open each page with design ideas for shoe makers. Excessive insect damage. Handmade paper w/ thread binding.
Gifted from Angie Antiques on Holland Rd. in Singapore. 6 in x 9 in.
T 48
Early 20th c. lotus shoe embroidery thread sellers catalog w/ many colored options. Card stock pages have some aging damage. Threads are mint condition. 7.5 in. X 4.5 in.
T 51
20th c. 35 graduations of blue silk embroidery thread in white paper package with two faded chop stamps. 7 in. Long Bundles
T 52
Late 19th - early 20th c. Set of 6 metallic and silk embroidery threads twisted in bundles. Gold bundle 7 in. x .75 in. Silver bundle 7.25 in. x .5 in. Coral bundle 5.5 in. Green bundle 3.5 in. Blue bundle 4 in.
T 55
Late 19th - early 20th c. Hand painted silk fabric pattern for use in making Chinese women’s foot bound shoes. Butterfly motif w/ geometric design. 7 in. x 13 in.
T 60
Late 19th - early 20th c. Pink and black embroidered silk cloth stitched and glued to shoe forms. Ready for assembly. Butterfly and floral motifs . Bright blue pompoms on front. 5.5 in. X 5.5 in. (each)
T 61
Late 19th - early 20th c. Pair of unassembled shoe forms with prepared unattached heels. Grey floral fabric with turquoise ribbon, purple embroidered fabric . Floral and swastika motifs. Shoes 5 in. x 5 in. Heels 5.75 in. x 2.25 in.
T 69
Late 19th c. Unfinished lavender silk lotus shoe uppers. Attached amps w/ silk grasshopper and magpie motif embroidery. Prefabricated ribbon trim. Bright red heel lift.Single unfinished shoe form. 3 in. X 3 in. X 1.5 in.
T 70
Late 19th early 20th c. Light green loose satin vamps with white cotton backing and hand embroidered floral motif. Ready for construction. Four separate pieces for two shoes. Great example of the various stages of lotus shoe construction. 5.5 in. X 3 in. (Each)
T 71
Early 20th c. Unfinished black silk uppers with lotus motif embroidery and prefabricated lace ribbon around vamps. Blue and peach small cotton ribbon attached at the time seam. Padded white cotton interior. Missing heel and soles. 8 in. X 3 in. (Each)