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 embroidery used is the petit point beadwork, in which the needle worker uses coloured beads 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 motifs on this piece are floral blossoms set against a turquoise background. These slippers were traditionally worn with the “sarong kebaya” (blouse and skirt cloth) or the “baju panjang” (long tunic).
