moccasins

moccasins

moccasins

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Introduction

Caribou hide semi-wrap moccasins with brightly coloured floral silk embroidery. Lined with cotton. Made by the Innu.

Nation of Maker: Other
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

Innu, according to British Museum Catalog Card.

Date Made or Date Range: Mid 19 C to Early 20 C
Materials

Made of cotton, hide; caribou, silk embroidery thread; yellow, blue, pink, red, green, white.

Techniques or Format

Pair of semi wrap-around moccasins, each constructed of three pieces of the finest caribou skin. The bodies of the moccasins are constructed from single pieces of lightly smoked skin, the toes superbly gathered and pleated, the heals with vertical seams including skin strips, with half moon shaped flaps at the based turned up and sewn over the bottom of the seams. The vamps, also of lightly smoked skin are edged with pink ribbon, overlain with embroidery in blue, green and red, the centre of the vamps with sprays of fat flowers, differing, but predominantly blue. The ankle flaps are of unsmoked skin, lined with yellow and black striped cotton, edged on the outside with blue tape and three lines of embroidery, mauve, yellow and blue. These are not proper wrap-around moccasins. since the flaps can not be turned up to cover the ankle, and indeed are sewn down. Instead at the front there are six holes, for laces of mauve coloured skin. On the soles are red labels for prices.
British Museum Online Record.

Motifs and Patterns

Flowers embroidered on each moccasin.

Condition: Excellent.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

British Museum Online Record.

Current Location: British Museum, London, UK
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: Am1936,1020.31.a-b
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1936
Collection Narratives and Histories

Mrs. Frances Kitson

GKS Reference Number: 25779
How to Cite this Item

Unknown Innu artist, moccasins. Currently in the British Museum, Am1936,1020.31.a-b. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2007; GRASAC item id 25779.

Record Creation Context

Record created as part of practicum, winter 2009.