Chinese Toggle Depicting Shoes

Low slippers with a diamond-and-triangle design stamped across each pointed toe.

This toggle depicting shoes is from China, and dates to the 19th century. It is wood. Because traditional robes had no pockets, small items were hung from the belt, and the toggle kept the cord from slipping through the sash. What shows is a pair of flat, shallow shoe forms with open hollows and a raised rim around each. Each toe cap carries an incised triangle inside a diamond outline. The color is a reddish brown with a slightly rough, matte feel. It is 1 inches wide, 1.75 deep and 0.5 high.

Geometry on the toes, humility everywhere else.