Chronicles of Riches: Treasures of the Bata Shoe Museum
Around the World
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Central and South America
Europe
North America
Behind the Scenes

Tributaries carrying gifts to Kina Shalmaneser III. 9th C-BCE.
British Museum, London, Great Britain
Erich Lessing/Art Resource NY

Miniature painting of a Turkoman or Mongol chief holding an arrow by Reza Jahangir Shah, c. 1591-92.
© Stapleton Collection/CORBIS

Asia

Iran

Iran's long and complex cultural history has resulted in highly varied and interesting examples of footwear. In the Amlash and Luristan regions of Northern Iran and in Azerbaidjan, excavations of graves have recovered numerous ceramic vessels and amulets, many of which are in the shape of boots with distinctive upturned toes. One theory contends that they were grave goods offered to the deceased with wishes for a safe journey to the next life. It is also in Persia that we should look for the inspiration for the Western high heel, an innovation that still impacts fashion today.

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Ceramic vase in shape of leg and foot with shoe.

1.) Clay goblet in the shape of a boot, upturned and curled toe, no heel, circular opening at top of boot. 2.) Boot shaped terra cotta vessel, boot has upturned and curled toe.

1.) Amulet of two boots attached together by two bars and a loop at the top. 2.) Bronze boot shaped amulet with upturned toe. 3.) Bronze boot shaped amulet. 4.) Bronze boot shaped amulet with upturned and curle toe.

Multicoloured beaded shoes with square toe and stacked leather heel.

Riding shoes with upper of shagreen leather. Upturned toe may have had a leather thong extending from it originally.