This pair of beaded slippers is embroidered with silk threads, gold threads and sequins on a velvet base. There are several decorative motifs on this piece. These include a phoenix created using orange silk threads, flowers and pomegranates. The rest of the designs are done using gold and silver metallic thread couching. The phoenix symbolises virtue and the pomegranates symbolise fertility in the Chinese culture. The motifs are raised in high relief and to create this effect, thin strips of cardboard are cut out and pasted onto the parts of the outlines intended to be highlighted. The designs are then embroidered with silk, gold or silver threads using the long and short stitch, the alternating stitch or the overlapping stitch. This pair is possibly a pair of wedding slippers worn by the groom on the other days of the wedding celebrations. The heavy use of gold thread work served to identify this category of footwear.
