Materials

commercially tanned hide; red woolen tape; black velveteen; black woolen cloth; white muslin; newsprint written in an Iroquois language; glass beads, opaque white, rose, greasy blue, navy, and yellow, translucent mustard, red, medium green, forest green, and clear; metal sequins, thread.

Techniques or Format

Each moccasin is made from two pieces of hide, with a set-in vamp and body. The one piece stand up cuff is made of cloth with a stiffener inside. The newspaper lining under vamp is visible and appears to be sandwiched between two pieces of wool on one and between hide and cloth on the other. They are lined with white muslin and decorated with beadwork on the vamps and cuffs.

Motifs and Patterns

Floral motifs.

Other Notes

The quality of the beadwork on the two cuffs seems to be different - could these have been done by two different women? One cuff has a small double-curve design near the top.

Condition: Fair. There are some loose beads, bead loss and tears in the cloth. The paper lining on one vamp is visible.

Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Based on the use of commercially tanned hide, sequins and style of beadwork.

Current Location: Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, UK

Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 1927.259 A-B

Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1927

Date Relative was First Removed or Collected from its Community Context: before 1927

Collection Narratives and Histories

Given to the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in 1927 as part of the Ridgeway bequest.

GKS Reference Number: 25395

How to Cite this Item

Unknown Hodenosaunee/Haudenosaunee artist, moccasins, beaded. Currently in the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 1927.259 A-B. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip May 2009; GRASAC item id 25395.

Record Creation Context

This record was created as part of a GRASAC research trip to the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, May 4-9 2009.

Record Creation Notes/Observations

Participants: Trudy Nicks, Laura Peers, Alison Brown, Sherry Farrell-Racette, Rachel Hand, Ruth Phillips, Stacey Loyer, and Amber Berson.