Antique Qabaqib Shoes

A pair of very rare 19th century Ottoman hand carved wooden Qabaqib with mother of pearl inlaid into a black resinous pitch. Original hand sewn leather, metallic thread, cotton and silk straps.

The tradition of Qabaqib dates all the way back to the early 17th century but it reached it's pinnacle of popularity in the middle of the 19th century. Worn mostly by aristocratic woman as a status symbol, these unique platform shoes also served a practical purpose - offering relief from the scalding heat of the Turkish bath house floor. As their popularity grew, styles became more outrageous and shoe elevations soared to new heights, with some platforms raised as high as ten inches. The pair of Qabaqib offered here is pushing the limits, measuring just shy of seven inches high.

Dimensions: 9.5 inches long x 6.5 inches high x 6.5 inches wide.

** Please note: smaller pair shown for scale only. Sold separately. 

Condition: in excellent, original condition with only minor loss.

questions? Contact us at 415-505-0680 or info@colonialarts.com