These mid-19th century Persian shoes feature extremely fine beadwork. The uppers are decorated with tiny pearls and glass beads, and feature peacocks, cypress trees, and florate designs. Though the name of their wearer is unknown, this pair was likely made for a woman in the Persian court of the Qajar monarchy. The insoles feature Farsi script; the right shoe reads “Your grace puts even the brightest face of the sun to shame,” while the left says “Let anyone who denies prove otherwise. Praise the dust under your feet.”

Date of production: 1830 – 1860

Place of design: Persia (Iran)

Size: 2 x 23 x 10.2

Wool, cotton, leather, glass, basra pearls, brass, silver, silk, shagreen

Museum: Bata Shoe Museum