This is pair of “Kasut Manek”, the literal meaning being “beaded shoes”. The slipper face is covered with bead embroidery or threading. This is a technique where coloured seed beads are stitched onto a base fabric using needle and thread. More specifically, the technique of petit point beadwork is used here, in which the needle worker uses the coloured beeds to stitch out patterns drawn onto square paper. Such bead embroidery was usually done on velvet or plain weave cotton and required the use of a frame or ‘pidangan’. The main motif on this piece is a pair of swans set against an orange background. Swans are symbols of love and faithfulness, as they mate for life. These slippers were traditionally worn with the “sarong kebaya” (blouse and skirt cloth) or the “baju panjang” (long tunic).
