Featured Infant Leather Bootie Pin-Cushion; Origin, Age?

It's about 3 1/2" long, 2 3/8" high, an' weighs ~1/2 ounce; painted gold over what would be kid or glove leather. There are 4 brass eyelets for long-gone laces; the stitching is all hand done, about 20-25 to the inch on the back seam, with the toe gathered to the tongue even more closely. The left side of that gathering has been repaired with red thread. The cushion surface may be silk, an' is severely worn, an' the ruffle looks to be rotten; it's worse on the left side.
Is this a European product? It seems commercially made as footgear for a newborn, then 'converted' to pin-cushion use. Does anything suggest when it may have been made? Thanks for lookin'!

 

mine were bronzed...

 

Mine, too...but we're of that generation. I'm guessing this was 19th C apparel, bicbw.

 

The construction, a bit like a moccasin, is seen in parts of Eastern Europe. But those metal ringlets are not a feature I know from Eastern European footwear.

 

It is a puzzling shoe. I've not seen anything quite like it.

Debora

 

According to the internet, metal eyelets were first used on corsets and shoes in 1828 so that would be your earliest date. Don't think your shoe is nearly that old though.

Debora

 

Nor do I, Debora...I can't see the backside of those eyelets. but the face is smooth an' flat, unlike most 'modern' ones...a they're smaller than any I've encountered previously. Thanks...