Woman’s slippers

Malacca or Singapore, 1920 to 1940
Silk velvet and cotton embroidered with metal thread, sequins, metal purl, cut steel beads, peacock feather, and cordonnet
National Museum of Singapore [G-0254-B]

The cartouches around the motifs are derived from Chinese textile designs. The curly brackets at the sides of the women’s slippers are a simplified version of the curvilinear cloud or fungus decoration on Chinese shoes.

This is one of a pair of matching set of slippers probably for a wedding couple. Their luxurious materials, intricate details, and rich textures are hallmarks of nyonya needlework.