Lapti Decorative Bast Shoes

Lapti - bast shoes - are as much a part of Russian tradition as nesting dolls and Khokhloma spoons. Bast is the fibrous, soft interior of young trees, woven to make shoes or mats. Such shoes were once the standard form of footwear, especially in the villages -- your favorite fairytale characters probably wore them! In a modern home, they complement all kinds of decor. Bast has a lustrous natural golden color, which is accentuated on these lapti by the fine red and blue detailing along the toes.