Arts of the Islamic World & India including Fine Rugs and Carpets

A RARE PAIR OF OTTOMAN TORTOISESHELL AND MOTHER-OF-PEARL WOODEN CLOGS, TURKEY, 17TH CENTURY

Restricted Species

Auction Closed

October 27, 04:55 PM GMT

Estimate

15,000 - 20,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

A RARE PAIR OF OTTOMAN TORTOISESHELL AND MOTHER-OF-PEARL WOODEN CLOGS, TURKEY, 17TH CENTURY

each composed of two tall stilts splayed at their base and supporting a foot-shaped platform with pointed terminals, the wood body decorated with mother-of-pearl carnation shaped flowers against a tortoiseshell ground, with gilt-metal and velvet leather straps

(2)

13cm. without strap; 19cm. with strap.

This lot contains ivory and other restricted materials. Replica Shoes 's recommends that buyers check with their own government regarding any importation requirements prior to placing a bid. For example, US regulations restrictor prohibits the import of certain items (including ivory) to protect wildlife conservation. Please note that Replica Shoes 's will not assist buyers with CITES licence applications where a buyer elects to either collect or arrange their own shipping, nor will Replica Shoes 's assist with the international movement of ivory by air, either as freight or through hand carry. Replica Shoes 's shipping will only assist in shipping the lot to either domestic UK or EU destinations, where delivery is made by road transport. A buyer's inability to export or import these lots cannot justify a delay in payment or sale cancellation.

Exclusively used by women, such clogs were designed with high stilts partly for protecting the bathers' feet as they walked on the heated floors of the bath-house, but also pushing the limits of practicality and thus emphasising their role in fashion over function. Surviving examples are frequently decorated in a variety of manners, the present pair being noteworthy for their striking composition of carnations and use of rare materials such as mother of pearl and tortoiseshell. Departing from the courtly 'Quatres fleurs' style and focusing on one flower, the carnation, these clogs follow designs on other media such as ceramics and textiles (see lot 450). A further comparison can be drawn with a cane shield in the Topkapi Palace, Istanbul (inv. no.2/2571).

A similar model of clogs, with mother of pearl decoration against a tortoiseshell ground on a wooden base, is in the Sadberk Hanim Museum, Istanbul, inv. no.SHM 11849-A.53 a.b (Görünur 2014, pp.264-5, no.105). For painted images of women wearing similar shoes, see Istanbul 2005, pp.227, 229, 247. A remarkable painting by Jan-Baptiste Vanmour, depicting a courtly lady wearing such shoes at home is published in Frankfurt 1985, vol.II, p.17 (see fig.1).