Pair of Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Wooden Bath Clogs (Qabqab)
Date19th century
PeriodOttoman
MediumWood, mother of pearl, metal wire
DimensionsEach clog: 2 1/4 x 2 7/8 x 9 1/16 in. (5.7 x 7.3 x 23cm)
ClassificationsWoodwork
Credit LineCourtesy of the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art
Object number67.24a-b
DescriptionThis pair of wooden clogs, called qabqāb in Arabic, are inlaid with mother-of-pearl, a speciality of shoemakers, or qabāqībī, in Damascus. The qabāqībī carved the clogs from willow or walnut wood, tracing the outline of the wearer’s foot and carving the clog to the correct size and shape. This type of footwear was worn in bathhouses to protect the wearer from hot, wet floors, and also (when worn with thick socks and soft leather “undershoes”) protected the wearer's feet from muddy streets in the winter. This pair lacks the leather straps needed to secure the shoes to the wearer’s feet.On View
On viewCollections
19th century
19th century
19th - 20th century
19th - 20th century
19th century
19th - 20th century
