These Chinese “lotus” shoes were donated by Lillian Goon Dip (1900-1975) and likely belonged to her mother Chin Yook-Nui who had bound feet. The shoes appear to have been modified from their original form, to combine traditional Chinese elements with fabrics more associated with the United States. The front of the shoes are silk and delicately embroidered. The backs, possibly a later addition, are made of denim and printed flannel. Lillian was born Lillian Goon in Portland Oregon and spent most of her early life at the Milwaukee Hotel in Seattle’s Chinatown. Her father was Seattle’s Chinese consul and hotel owner, Goon Dip (circa 1862-1933). Lillian was an accomplished dancer, studying ballet with several teachers including Seattle’s well-known Mary Ann Wells. She graduated from the University of Washington in 1924. She eventually took her father’s full name as her surname, becoming Lillian Goon Dip.