30s, 40s ??? Hand Carved Wood Sandals - Jonathan, Hollis ???

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I am in the process of buying an estate that belonged to the mother, grandmother, several aunts and a close family friend (who was dancer for the Rocketts in the 40s) of my seamstress's boyfriend. Most of it I am buying and some I am just helping identify and value.

This very special pair of shoes I am just helping them value and identify.

These are hand carved wooden sandals. They are pretty dirty in these photos as we had just pulled them out of a hot and dusty garage moments before I took the photos.

I believe these to be very special and unique. I recall some time back someone had a pair of these up on eBay but something like this is few and far between. There is no left foot and right foot. Both are just uni-footed (that's the best term I could come up with besides bi-footual!!) There is no type sole on the bottom (rubber or otherwise) jst the actual wood.

Jonathan, Hollis, anyone... can you shed some light on these lovelies? Any help would be appreciated.

Here are a ton of photos....

Thanks again ~ Maureen

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I believe these are from the Philippines and rather like the Mexican circle skirts that were made and handpainted for tourists, it is the same deal with the carved sandals.

I think that American GI's bought them home for their sweethearts and wives during WWll

I don't know the value though
 
Those are great, Maureen. I love the little pagodas inside. Kind of the 70s platform shoes with fishbowls in them for the 40s pinup girl set.

I would be tempted to hang onto them for VLV if you can. I bet some gal would snap them up in a second to wear with her Tiki Sarong.

(no idea of value either. might be depends on who sees it)

Chris
 
Yes, from the Philippines, and most likely post war 40s. This was a common GI gift, so I'm left wondering why MY dad didn't bring back a few pairs!

I like yours because of the print and because the carving is cut all the way through. Sometimes the fabric is a solid, and the carving is just relief.

Lizzie
 
so I'm left wondering why MY dad didn't bring back a few pairs!

Darn it!

No relative who was ever stationed anywhere ever brought anything back. Of course, they were fortunate enough to bring themselves back, but wouldn't it be nice to go back in time and tell our relatives what they need to be sure to pick up along the way lol
 
They hung around for some years after the war as I have a pair that were my grandmothers, and I assume she brought them back from a cruise in the early 50s.

As you may have guessed from the posts, they were brought back in great enough numbers that they aren't really rare. They aren't common, but also not rare. They are great fun, and value will depend on condition and size. I have seen a number of these and they are always tiny - sz 6 and down. If yours are a 7/8 that would be unusual.

Hollis
 
Thank you for all your posts. I am a bit sad that they aren't rarer but I will tell Julia to hang on to them until VLV - at least that way she will get a bit more.

And yes, Sandra, that is part of the reason I've been awol. The other part is I hurt my lower back at the gym lat the beginning of last week and sitting has been the worst thing for it... so that has meant very little computer time! It took me a week just to be able to list 2 stinking items!! It's starting to get better and I can sit for longer stretches but really, it only feels happy when I am laying down on my side!! Very inconvenient is what it is!!!!

~Maureen
 
I had a pair of those once, they were a very small size. I was told the soilders used to bring these home as souvieniers for the wives and girlfriends.
 
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