Nov 15, 2017
Dec 12, 2006
Nov 15, 2017

Pair of Boots

Pair of Boots

907–1125

Part of a set. See all set records

Silk: tapestry weave; two kinds of metal threads

Overall: 47.5 x 30.8 cm (18 11/16 x 12 1/8 in.)

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1993.158

Location

Description

This magnificent pair of boots, made of finely woven silk tapestry (kesi), features two phoenixes in flight chasing a flaming pearl. Although the bright colors of the fabric have become muted from being buried in a tomb and the gold threads are partly disintegrated, the once lavish use of gold and the Chinese-inspired phoenix motif suggest that the boots were made for a member of the Liao imperial family, probably a woman. At the time the boots were made in the Khitan-occupied territory in northern China, footbinding was introduced among upper-class women in southern China. The high value the Khitan people accorded to boots relates to their mobile, seminomadic lifestyle.

See also

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