Pair of clogs (qabqab)
Late 19th century or early 20th century
Medium
Wood inlaid with pearl; leather; wrapped metal-strip thread wrapped around a paper card form, purl, metal-wrapped thread embroidery on a cotton twill weave ground
Classification
costume accessory - shoe
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
5424
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Both men and women wore qabqabs (bath clogs) in hammams (public baths) throughout North Africa, the Mediterranean, and southwestern Asia. These raised wooden clogs elevated the wearer’s feet above the wet, soapy floors. The name "qabqab" derives from the clomping sound they make when walking on stone floors. Qabqabs for wealthy women were often elaborate, sometimes reaching stilt-like heights, three or four times as tall as this example. The use of materials like gold, silver, precious stones, m...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...