“Kasut manek” generally refers to the beaded slippers worn by the Nonyas with the “sarong kebaya” or the “baju panjang”. In this low heeled piece, the shape of the slipper face indicates that it is worn by the men or Baba. The design on this piece include a bright pink flower with yellow tips, set against a contrasting brown background with star like geometric patterns. These motifs are created using coloured seed or Rocaille beads, which are spheroidal in shape. Such beads were largely produced in European cities such as Birmingham, Geneva, Venice and Lyon and exported to Southeast Asian consumers. The best beads, known for their luminosity and opalescence were said to be made mostly in Lyon, France. The beads were stitched together using a technique called petit point beadwork, in which the needle worker used the beads to stitch out the designs drawn onto square paper. This bead embroidery was possibly done on a velvet base fabric and required the use of a frame or ‘pidangan’.
