This high-caste Chinese Lady shows her dainty "Lily feet" in 1899. She actually wears tiny silk slippers over her very tiny feet. For a thousand years, wealthy young girls' feet were cruelly broken and the four smallest toes were wrapped under the big toe. Yards of silk then bound the foot tightly. This was all to create what was considered the height of beauty for upper caste girls so they could attract the best possible husband later. The binding was socially encouraged while it was also extremely painful. To see my related vintage images, Search: Prestor vintage China woman

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Size: 8947px × 11346px
Location: China
Photo credit: © Prestor Pictures LLC / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

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