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Vintage Woven Straw & Wood Platform Sandals – Korean/East Asian Folk Footwear – Unusual Pair
Up for sale is a very unusual pair of vintage woven-fiber sandals featuring a wood platform/wedge sole, woven straw/fiber footbed, and pink fabric straps with purple and pink decorative accents.
These came to a church as a donation from an elderly parishioner. According to the family story, they were given to the parishioner’s father after he returned home from military service in Korea. The family believed they were brought back from Korea around the Korean War era. I have not been able to independently verify the exact date, country of manufacture, or military provenance, so please examine the photographs and make your own determination.
The construction appears consistent with traditional East Asian woven-fiber footwear, and the sandals have an unusual wooden platform construction. They would make an interesting addition to a collection of Asian folk art, vintage footwear, military memorabilia, or ethnographic objects.
Condition: Vintage/antique condition with substantial age and wear. The woven material and fabric straps show discoloration, fraying, and areas of deterioration. The wooden soles have scratches, wear, and some damage around the strap attachment areas. Please see all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the description.
Important: These are being sold as a vintage/possibly mid-century East Asian/Korean footwear item based on their appearance and the provenance story. I am not representing the Korean War connection or exact age as authenticated.
Sold as found. No cleaning or restoration has been attempted.
