“Kasut Manek” (beaded shoes or slippers) were traditionally worn with the “sarong kebaya” (blouse and skirt cloth) or the “baju panjang” (long tunic). The slipper face is covered with bead embroidery or threading. This is a technique where coloured seed beads are stitched onto a base fabric using needle and thread. The seed beads used were usually Rocaille beads imported from Europe. These were made of glass and faceted. Such bead embroidery was usually done on velvet or plain weave cotton and required the use of a frame or ‘pidangan’. The decorative motif of a large pink and blue lotus flower on the slipper face suggests a Chinese influence in the design as the lotus is a sacred symbol of purity in both Buddhism and the Chinese culture. Geometric patterns in pink and yellow line the top of the slipper face. This is possibly a pair of mens’ slippers.
