In today’s age of motion and touch sensors and every other kind of high-tech gadget we’ve got for security of precious goods, Harrods in London recently took a unique step to protect a pair of very expensive shoes: they hired a poisonous cobra to stand (sit? slither?) guard.

Obviously this was a publicity stunt, not a real security effort, but I say good for them. That’s pretty clever, and for all intents and purposes it worked. The cobra has since returned to its owner and the shoes are, I’m sure, under a more traditional lock and key type security system.

Curious what kind of shoes warranted such a show? A pair of red sandals by Rene Caovilla that are encrusted with rubies, sapphires, and diamonds and valued at about $120,000.