19th Century Tole Snuff Box/Vesta Shoe, Hand Engraved with Best Red Soles! persistent faces and one little scrap on

and one little scrap on the interior revealing "Lowell

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

served up in a consomme cup decorated with what I'd guess is meant to be a coat of arms

Based on the color

I have to think the business at hand here was one of transport--and would guess most likely this was meeting hall for the Transit Workers Union

19th Century Tole Snuff Box/Vesta Shoe, Hand Engraved with Best Red Soles! persistent faces and one little scrap on(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,