Antique Hand Painted Wood Childs' Shoe Last With Floral Motif

This one had to go into the Cabinet of Curiosities! It's a gorgeous shoe last that lived its' first life in the early 19th Century as a mold for a shoemaker, either as a childs' or a small female size - think size 5. It is solid wood with the exception of the iron core where it would have been put on the base and the pin in the heel that was probably used to stabilize the heel/ankle area. The wood glows with patina and has cracks that show a life well used.  Once retired, someone painted foliage, peonies, and wisteria and nailed a split green leather tab into the heel. It's an amazing piece of Folk art; subtle, aged, and very curious.
 
~MEASUREMENTS:
8 1/2"L x 2 3/4"W x 3 1/2"H
 
~FEATURES:
Wood body
Inset iron tube and capped pin
Painted sides and upper
Pebbled pastel lime tab with slit in center, nailed to base of heel
 
~CONDITION:
Oh my goodness, this is in the most amazing piece!  The wood has cracks throughout that have lived there for many years; they have patinated along with the wood body.  The paint is completely intact and done in muted tones. It has been carefully cleaned and is ready to head out on its' next adventure.