Cast iron shoe/boot

[halfdime]

When I was a kid, we had this shoe stored in our attic. It's about five inches tall, including the pedestal it sits on, and is cast iron as opposed to steel. My mother said it was my grandmother's and thinks she got it at a shoe store where she once worked. There are no markings that I can see. My mother would really like some information about it and now that I think of it so would I! We found it recently doing some tidying and our curiosity about age and purpose has been ignited. Any thoughts?

 

[Mud Hut]

I don't think those were advertisement in any way, but rather figural match holders, although there is one identical to yours on eBay that claims it was a store display:
Antique Cast Iron Victorian High Button Shoe Boot Store Display | eBay

 

[halfdime]

I don't think those were advertisement in any way, but rather figural match holders, although there is one identical to yours on eBay that claims it was a store display:
Antique Cast Iron Victorian High Button Shoe Boot Store Display | eBay

Perhaps it was a store display and match holder! Thanks for the link!

 

[Mud Hut]

Perhaps it was a store display and match holder! Thanks for the link!

Here is another that confirms my theory: