Skip to Main Content

Due to required maintenance, some galleries and artwork may be off view. Learn more.

Closed today

Early 20th century

Toe-Knob Sandals (Padukas)

Artist/maker unknown

An ancient form of Indian footwear, toe-knob sandals, or padukas, afford ritual protection to the feet of holy men and gurus and are worn by others for special occasions. Hard soles protect the feet and narrow stilted bottoms minimize the risk of stepping on insects, reflecting the principle of nonviolence.

This record is part of an ongoing effort to share accurate and evolving information. If you notice anything we should improve, we welcome your feedback at [email protected]

Images on this site are shared for educational use. For image rights, permissions, or to learn more about image rights and access, email [email protected]