Two Islamic Ottoman hammam shoes

Each comprises two high platforms, a sole, with a sheeted silver rings. Each is carved from wood (possibly olive wood) and inset with numerous mother-of-pearl slithers arrayed in geometric patterns within bands of inlaid silver wire. Such clogs were designed for a wealthy woman so that when worn she would be elevated above a wet and dirty floor. Walking, however, required the assistance of an attendant, and the higher the clog, then the more attendants who would be needed, so particularly high clogs – such as those here, which must be among the highest available – became status symbols. Their Arabic name – qabqab – derives from the sound they made when they were being used.