Pair of Sandals

Unknown

4th–7th century · Palm leaf with the inner sole made of strips, the lower sole in basket weave, and the straps plaited · Medieval Art

This well-made pair of palm-leaf sandals for an infant is similar in style (with a thong emerging between the big and second toes and an ankle strap) to forty-one single sandals and two pairs found at Kellis (modern Ismant al-Kharab) in Dakhla Oasis, though the Museum’s pair has pointed rather than square toes. Palm footwear was traditional in Egypt, and palm-leaf soles, such as those seen here, are frequently seen on children’s and smaller-sized adult sandals.

Artist

Unknown

Date

4th–7th century

Medium

Palm leaf with the inner sole made of strips, the lower sole in basket weave, and the straps plaited

Culture

Coptic

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1931