Clothing in Ancient Egypt Part 3: Footwear
Footwear in ancient Egypt was relatively simple when compared with the fantastic costumes many Egyptians wore. Most of the time, Egyptians were wont to go barefoot. While there appeared to be a type of disinterest in footwear in ancient Egypt, sandals and slippers were, perhaps not prominent, but a definite addition to the funerary collection (http://www.vannacalzature.it/Storia_inglese/egizi_inglese.htm).
Sandals’ soles were made of a number of different materials. These materials include palm strands, papyrus reeds, leather or wood. Sandals had a standard form, a pointed-toe sole with a strap passing between the first and second toes and a connecting strap passing over the arch of the foot. While this was the standard, there were a few variations. A round-toed sole has been noted, and sometimes the pointed-toe sole has been seen to be incredibly long, wrapping up and connecting to the strap passing over the arch of the foot. This design lends a little protection to the toes. Some sandals sported a third strap that passed over the heel of the wearer, keeping the sandal more securely on their foot (http://www.vannacalzature.it/Storia_inglese/egizi_inglese.htm).
In later periods, sandals evolved sides, looking more like a shoe than a sandal. The basic design was still the same, but a low lip had been added around the outside of the sole, lending even more protection for the foot. Examples of leather shoes in this style have been found, often with the curved-up toe seen in the sandals (http://www.vannacalzature.it/Storia_inglese/egizi_inglese.htm).
Footwear was often undecorated. The Egyptians preferred simplicity to their footwear, showing their finery in their jewelry and cosmetics. Sandals, specifically the wooden sandals, were treated with white chalk. These white sandals were mentioned in some forms of ancient Egyptian literature and poetry (http://www.vannacalzature.it/Storia_inglese/egizi_inglese.htm).
One form of decoration was common, especially for the pharaoh, but this decoration was more a form of magic than form of embellishment. The soles of his sandals or shoes were often painted with the forms of the pharaoh’s enemies, bound so they cannot escape. This sympathetic magic meant the pharaoh ground his enemies into the ground with every step (http://www.vannacalzature.it/Storia_inglese/egizi_inglese.htm).
Though footwear was often almost scorned by the ancients, it was viewed as an important part of a person’s costume. Due to the fact sandals or shoes were not always worn, there were servants were that were dedicated just to the carrying of a person’s sandals. Another piece of evidence showing the importance of footwear is the fact they were included in the inventory of a person’s tomb so they could be accessed in the afterlife (Erman, Life in Ancient Egypt, pg. 227).
Footwear was often undecorated. The Egyptians preferred simplicity to their footwear, showing their finery in their jewelry and cosmetics. Sandals, specifically the wooden sandals, were treated with white chalk. These white sandals were mentioned in some forms of ancient Egyptian literature and poetry (http://www.vannacalzature.it/Storia_inglese/egizi_inglese.htm).
One form of decoration was common, especially for the pharaoh, but this decoration was more a form of magic than form of embellishment. The soles of his sandals or shoes were often painted with the forms of the pharaoh’s enemies, bound so they cannot escape. This sympathetic magic meant the pharaoh ground his enemies into the ground with every step (http://www.vannacalzature.it/Storia_inglese/egizi_inglese.htm).
Though footwear was often almost scorned by the ancients, it was viewed as an important part of a person’s costume. Due to the fact sandals or shoes were not always worn, there were servants were that were dedicated just to the carrying of a person’s sandals. Another piece of evidence showing the importance of footwear is the fact they were included in the inventory of a person’s tomb so they could be accessed in the afterlife (Erman, Life in Ancient Egypt, pg. 227).
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