Up for your consideration is a heavy, beautifully preserved matching pair of mid-century Asian decorative art: original 1950s post-Korean War souvenir miniature brass shoes, modeled after traditional Korean Gomushin footwear.
Acquired directly in the South Korea region during the mid-1950s, these solid cast brass miniatures are remarkably heavy for their size, weighing approximately 8 ounces apiece. They feature incredibly distinct hand-etched folk designs on the exterior metal walls and realistic textured detailing on the soles, making them a fantastic addition to an international brass collection, or a unique conversation piece for a desk as paperweights or decorative catchalls.
Design & Structural Features
Traditional Gomushin Silhouette: Shaped with the classic, elegant upturned toe boxes and sweeping low profiles characteristic of historical Korean folk shoes.
Sacred Wan Symbol (卍) Engraving: The front of each toe box is deeply engraved with the traditional Buddhist Wan symbol, representing eternity, peace, and good fortune in East Asian cultural heritage.
Hand-Etched Nature Motifs: The exterior side profiles are decorated with hand-chiseled folk art imagery showcasing a stylized radiant sun, pine sprigs, and blooming chrysanthemums representing longevity.
Hobnail Textured Soles: The undersides feature a dense pattern of molded, round non-slip traction bumps that realistically mimic the functional rubber treading of full-sized mid-century footwear.
Authentic Maker's Stamp: The inside base of both shoes is clearly cast with a prominent "MADE IN KOREA" identifier stamp.
Dimensions & Measurements
Length: Approx. 5-1/2" long
Width: Approx. 2" wide
Weight: Approx. 8 oz per shoe (16 oz total weight)
Condition Report
This matching vintage pair is in Excellent vintage condition. The solid cast brass bodies are entirely structurally sound, completely free of cracks, structural bends, dents, deep pitting, or post-factory damage. The brass exhibits a gorgeous, authentic deep golden honey color with a rich, natural aged dark patina in the recessed crevices of the etchings and interiors, which highlights the hand-worked details beautifully. We have left the original historic surface unpolished to preserve its vintage integrity, though it can be buffed to a bright mirror shine if the buyer prefers.
Please note that photographs are captured under bright, professional lighting conditions to ensure all fine details and textures are visible; slight variations in color tone, reflectivity, or brightness may occur depending on your individual monitor or mobile screen settings. Please review the high-resolution photographs provided to evaluate the exact cosmetic condition.