This pair of beaded slipper faces, made to be used as the toe covers for a pair of slippers to be worn by a Straits Chinese woman or Nyonya, most probably to a traditional Straits Chinese wedding, are decorated with multi-coloured rocaille glass beads so that each face shows a swimming swan against a pink geometric bead background. The patterns are the reverse of each other with the two swans facing opposite directions.
The beads have been sewn to a layer of stiffened fabric which has been attached to a layer of hand-made, unmarked paper, then finally to more fabric. The ensemble has been finished with bright green beads edging.
The bead work is in excellent condition. There are no losses and the beads have remained bright and lustrous.
Rocaille beads were made in Southern France and were widely used in Singapore and the other Straits Settlements for beading slippers, wedding pillow ends, betel set mats and other paraphernalia associated with Baba and Nyonya culture. The Straits Chinese referred to the beads as 'manek potong' (cut beads) and acquired them from street peddlers and specialist merchants for the purpose of beading and embroidery.
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The beads have been sewn to a layer of stiffened fabric which has been attached to a layer of hand-made, unmarked paper, then finally to more fabric. The ensemble has been finished with bright green beads edging.
The bead work is in excellent condition. There are no losses and the beads have remained bright and lustrous.
Rocaille beads were made in Southern France and were widely used in Singapore and the other Straits Settlements for beading slippers, wedding pillow ends, betel set mats and other paraphernalia associated with Baba and Nyonya culture. The Straits Chinese referred to the beads as 'manek potong' (cut beads) and acquired them from street peddlers and specialist merchants for the purpose of beading and embroidery.
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I want so very much to make a pair of beaded slippers! Living in the USA makes it kind of difficult to do. Figuring out how to create the correct pattern size to use for beading on is the hardest part!
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty easy for me.
ReplyDelete