Indian Art. A pair of brass paduka shoes Northern India, possibly Rajasthan, 19th century . Pair of shoes characterized by a rigid sole and knot between the first and second toe. Shoes of this type are historically known in India and South East Asia, as a matter of fact, they are an honorary and royal attribute in Malaysia. The name derives from ""pada"", meaning ""foot"" in Sanskrit. There are padukas of various materials, those in metal were probably used as bathing clogs to prevent contamination during ritual ablutions ( (Christiane Serra Fabri-Terlinden, Mughal Silver Magnificence, XVI - XIX th, 1987, p. 167). Reference: Museum of Folk and Tribal Art, Gurgaon (Haryana) India; Aitken, M.E., When Gold Blossoms: Indian Jewelry from the Susan L.Beningson Collection, Asia Society & Philip Wilson Publishers 2004. Jain-Neubauer, J., Feet & Footwear in Indian Culture, Bata Shoe Museum/Mapin, 2000. . Cm 17,50.Dimensions: Cm 17,50