Moccasins

Moccasins

Moccasins

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Introduction

These relatives, a pair of moccasins, are elaborated with porcupine quill embroidery in stylized floral design. Although their precise origins are not certain, the moccasins may be of Cree origin dating from before 1800.

These relatives currently reside in the National Museum of Ireland.

Name of Maker(s): Unrecorded
Maker role: Artist
Nation of Maker: Cree
Nation of Origin

Cree

Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, ON: McMichael Canadian Collection, 1984.

Date Made or Date Range: pre 1800
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, ON: McMichael Canadian Collection, 1984.

Materials

Hide; woollen fabric, red, black; porcupine quill, red, blue, natural white; sinew.

Techniques or Format

Set-in vamp, traces of the red and black woollen fabric stitched to ankle edge, indicating that there were formerly cuffs and strips of wool trim. The quill work is in simple line and zigzag band stitches.

Motifs and Patterns

The stylized floral design resembles that found on the Jasper Grant paddle as well as on several types of Great Lakes ritual articles. The central image probably represents a type of flower thought to have special powers deriving from the sun manito because of its resemblance to that celestial body (Patterns of Power).

Dimensions: 24.5 × 0 × 0 mm
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, ON: McMichael Canadian Collection, 1984.

Current Location: National Museum of Ireland
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: NMI 1880.1891
Source for Provenance information

National Museum of Ireland documentation.

Publication History

Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, On.: McMichael Canadian Collection, 1984.

GKS Reference Number: 1317
How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Moccasins. GRASAC ID 1317. National Museum of Ireland Collection NMI 1880.1891.

Record Creation Context

This record was augmented by Dana Murray on August 17, 2025. It draws on images and information recorded in Ruth Phillips's book, Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, ON: McMichael Canadian Collection, 1984.

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