This article was inspired by a Qing dynasty pair of Manchu 'horse-hoof' shoes in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum (fig. This includes objects related to Manchu dress, such as the long robe called a qipao and Han Chinese footwear, including the footbinding shoe. Much of what we know today as Chinese material culture developed during this period. The Qing dynasty (1644-1911), the last empire in Chinese history, was ruled by the Manchus, a nomadic group that came from the north. Silk with silk embroidery, hemp covered wooden heel. Figure 1 - Manchu horse-hoof shoe, China (Quing Dynasty), about 1900.
