moccasins, beaded

moccasins, beaded

moccasins, beaded

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Introduction

A pair of moccasins decorated with ribbon and beadwork. All of the seams are covered with fabric. Possibly Mesquakie and made in the early 19th century. In the collections of The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, University of Glasgow.

Nation of Maker: Mohawk Other American American
Nation of Origin

The GRASAC research team noted that they resemble Mesquakie work (Sac and Fox).
An old handwritten label attributes these artefacts to the Shawnee tribe on unknown evidence.

Date Made or Date Range: 1800s to 1840s
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Museum documentation and the GRASAC research team

Materials

animal hide; black rateen; bombazine on cuffs; black cotton on vamp hide); linen or cotton thread; green ribbon; glass seed beads, opaque white, rose, blue, green, and translucent mustard and blue.

Techniques or Format

The hide part of the moccasin is cut as one piece: the cuffs are integral, rather than separate pieces. The heel seam is covered with green ribbon. All of the seams are covered and the black cotton panel is sewn over the vamp.

Motifs and Patterns

Cory Willmott: One motif on one moccasin has sky blue bead infill; this might be an example of deliberately making a mistake so as not to be perfect.

Additional Context

Cory Willmott: The construction is strange, the moccasin is built all in one, the maker has eliminated all evidence of seams. The fabric could be rateen, thus placing it in the late 19th century.
(Cory Willmot, Research video, GRASAC, Tape 1: December 16, 2006).

Other Notes

(see Link, posted July 23, 2009).

Dimensions: 24 × 0 × 0 cm
Condition: Good.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

An old handwritten suggests they are early 19th century.

Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: GLAHM E.109/1
GKS Reference Number: 25624
How to Cite this Item

Item to be cited by catalog number, collection and institution.

Record Creation Context

This record was created during a GRASAC research visit to The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, University of Glasgow, April 2007.

Record Creation Notes/Observations

On-site researchers: Cory Willmott, Laura Peers, Ruth Phillips, Keith Jamieson, Alan Corbiere, Sally-Ann Coupar

Approximate Place of Origin

44.736, -88.788