19th Century Tole Snuff Box/Vesta Shoe, Hand Engraved with Best Red Soles! persistent faces text in German

text in German

the legendary art collector and a founder of the Museum of Folk Art in New York City

but I think it was well stored away as it's in terrific condition

and one little scrap on the interior revealing "Lowell

19th Century Tole Snuff Box/Vesta Shoe, Hand Engraved with Best Red Soles! persistent faces text in German(First photo is a composite, showing two views.) The best tole (painted tin) snuff box (or perhaps vesta) shoe I have ever seen, truly. I was sold on it from the top view, between the cream paint and wonderful hand engraved decoration, but then I saw the bright red painted underside and that was it. The Louboutin of shoe shaped boxes (but much more practical!) Also makes me think of Dorothy in her ruby red slippers. Fabulous, and a perfect valentine,