Fig. 9.Fig. 10.Fig. 11.
Fig. 9.Fig. 10.Fig. 11.
Fig. 9.
Fig. 10.
Fig. 11.
Some of the shoes worn by the ladies are very beautiful, indeed (Figs.6 & 7), being made of delicate pink and blue satin embroidered with birds and flowers.
The men generally wear black satin boots with white soles, which they lay off in summer for shoes made of plaited bamboo, with cork soles.
In India, shoes are worn only by the higher classes, and a few of the lower castes. This habit of going shoeless seems to render the toes of the Hindoo almost as lissom as fingers. Sitting at his work, if his hands are employed he can use his feet to pick up any article he may require, as the big toe becomes quite prehensile.
Among the Persians we find that in ancient times one of low stature was generally looked upon with dishonor; hence arose high heels to repair the deficiency of nature. At first they were worn only by actors and actresses on the stage, but were afterwards adopted by all classes, even those whose stature required no additional height blindly conforming to the prevailing fashion, as many people do at the present day.
Some of the shoes worn in Eastern countries, at different times, have been very interesting (Figs.9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14).