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Mocassin, single
Mocassin, single
Mocassin, single
This relative, a single moccasin, is composed of a high cuff and centre seam construction that is covered with zigzag band quillwork and some moose hair. The design of quillwork includes 'Cane' or opposed hook motifs similar to the motifs found on late 18th century shoulder bags. Composed of three pieces of tanned deerskin and translucent blue and white glass beads, this moccasin is decorated with porcupine quills, which include natural white as well as dyed red and brownish black. Decoration also includes the use of cotton thread, blue silk ribbon, moose hair, and tinned iron cones adhered with red dyed deer hair. The origins of the moccasin are not certain; however, it has probable connections to the Hodoenosaunee/Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat, or Abenaki and has been dated to the 18th century. An old museum tag states, "Boot of a Cherokee Chieftan. / N. America".
This relative currently resides at the National Museum of Ireland.
Note from Nikolaus Stolle: attribution to peoples of St. Lawrence lowlands, the Abenaki.
Read More About This Relative
tanned deerskin, translucent blue and white glass beads, porcupine quills in red, white, brownish black, and moose hair embroidery cotton thread, tinned iron cones with red dyed deer hair, blue silk ribbon, imitation glass wampum beads, moose hair (?)
High cuff, centre seam construction, made of three pieces of hide, two separate cuff pieces, and one piece for the foot.
This moccasin is very similar to and may be the mate of one in the Pitt Rivers Museum. It is unlikely to be Cherokee. The use of moosehair to edge the vamp quillwork is typical of the St. Lawrence lowlands.
Note from Nikolaus Stolle: the outer rows of zig-zag band embroidery on the vamp and the embroidery on the cuffs may be moosehair
Provenance
About This GRASAC Record
Maker, Name unknown. Moccasin, single. GRASAC ID: 25715. National Museum of Ireland, 1880.1919.
This record was augmented by Dana Murray on August 13, 2024. It draws on information recorded during the GRASAC research trip to the National Museum of Ireland on July 23, 2010. Participants included Alan Corbiere, Ruth Phillips, Crystal Migwans, Nikolaus Stolle, and Rachel Head, who were assisted by Padraig Clancy and Emma Crosby.