Pump van bruin krokodillenleer met zilverkleurige gesp c. 1930 - 1940

These pumps made by A. van Goethem feature brown crocodile leather and a silver buckle. The crocodile, a creature of both land and water, represents a powerful, primeval force in many cultures. Consider how, in ancient Egypt, the crocodile-headed god Sobek was revered for his strength, fertility, and protective powers. This reverence reflects a deep, subconscious respect for the raw, untamed energy of nature. Here, the use of crocodile leather transforms the wearer, symbolically imbuing her with some of the animal’s formidable essence. Yet, this ancient symbol takes on new meanings. No longer a deity, it is now a fashion statement, revealing our cyclical dance with symbols. Each age rediscovers and reshapes the past. This shoe is not just an accessory, but a vessel carrying complex threads of cultural memory.