Lot 393: A Trio of Carved Wooden Boot and Shoe Novelties

A collection of three hand-carved wooden novelty items realistically fashioned as worn footwear, characteristic of Swiss Black Forest souvenir carvings from the late 19th or early 20th century. The group comprises a dual-compartment boot box with two hinged lids; the lid at the ankle is carved with a textured pattern representing a knitted sock. This item includes a small metal key and is incised to the side with the name MURREN. The second item is a shoe-form inkwell with a hinged lid, containing a metal mount and the original white ceramic liner. The third item is a smaller open-topped shoe container incised on the side with the name MARECOTTES. Each piece is intricately detailed with carved leather creases, stitching, patches, and simulated sole wear.