Peranakan beaded slippers

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An early 20th century Munka Kasot of a Peranakan Kasut Manik, a beaded upper for a pair of slippers.

Peranakan beaded slippers, also known as Kasut Manik,

Peranakan women, also known as Nyonya, whose skills in embroidery and beadwork are highly valued.[2]

Description

The beaded slippers were worn by both the Peranakan males (

nyonya) and were popular in the 1930s. Nowadays, the beaded slippers are more commonly worn by women only. The beaded slippers were made for two types of occasions. For happy occasions, like the Chinese New Year
or birthdays, these beaded slippers used colorful beads with intricate patterns. For sad occasions, the beads used were likely to be in black, white or blue colors (Chinese mourning colors), and the patterns were simple.

The beaded slippers were either opened face (

cross-stitched
, with each stitch representing a bead. The beads were then used in the actual beading of the slippers. The Peranakan pattern for the beaded slipper is unique in that even the background is quite ornate resulting in a colorful patterned mosaic with a well-defined border.

To sew the pattern, a laced-up wooden frame (pidangan)[4] is used to provide the right tension for the beading. The beading process starts from the center of the pattern, moving to the right then left. The main motif of the pattern is first beaded, followed by the background and then the border. The border may have a smooth or scallop-edge. When the beaded pattern is completed, it would be sent to the cobbler to be made into slippers. Leather is usually the preferred material for the beaded slippers, and may be either made with low or high heels.

See also

References

  1. ISBN 9971-65-194-7
    . Pages 38-46, 63-64.
  2. ISBN 90-5496-008-6
    . Pages 190-206.
  3. ISBN 9971-65-058-4
    .
  4. ISBN 9971-917-30-0
    . Pages 25-29, 68.
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