moccasins, beaded with quillwork
moccasins, beaded with quillwork
moccasins, beaded with quillwork
A pair of mid-19th century Haudenosaunee/Hodenosaunee moccasins. The linear beadwork patterns resemble the patterns on Seneca linear beaded bags and the Seneca items documented by Lewis Henry Morgan in the 1840s to 1850s. The collection history is unknown. Presently in the collection of the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
Based on their similarity to the style of moccasins documented among the Seneca by Lewis Henry Morgan in the 1840s.
Museum documentation and the GRASAC research team
Read More About This Relative
native dyed deerhide smoked to a light brown; red woolen cloth, two different kinds; light blue silk ribbon, porcupine quills in orange, yellow, and blue-green; very small seed beads (size 14?) in opaque greasy blue, greasy green, navy, yellow, and translucent forest green; small white beads (size 10?); cotton thread.
The moccasins are a one piece construction with a centre seam on the vamp and a seam on heel. They are made from native dyed deerhide, with red woolen cloth sewn to the cuffs. They are decorated with light blue silk ribbon, porcupine quills and beads. Note that an extra piece of hide has been added to one heel at seam.
The cuffs have outward curving double curves, with two parallel zig-zag lines and a domed line around the vamp seam. The outer border around vamp is chained circles in graduated sizes.
The double curve motifs on the cuffs are all in white beadwork except for one, which is yellow and blue.
Based on their similarity to moccasins illustrated by Lewis Henry Morgan in his publications of the 1840s and 1850s.
Provenance
Collection history is unknown.
For comparison with moccasins in Morgan's collection, see L.H. Morgan, Report to the Regents of the University, December 31, 1849 (Third Regents Report), plates 1 and 2; L.H. Morgan, Report on the Fabrics, Inventions, Implements and Utensils of the Iroquois (Fifth Regents Report), Jan 22, 1851, plate 11.
About This GRASAC Record
Unknown Hodenosaunee/Haudenosaunee/Seneca artist, moccasins, beaded with quillwork. Currently in the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Z 35120. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip May 2009; GRASAC item id 26022.
This record was created as part of a GRASAC research trip to the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, May 4-9 2009.
Participants: Trudy Nicks, Laura Peers, Alison Brown, Sherry Farrell-Racette, Rachel Hand, Ruth Phillips, Stacey Loyer, and Amber Berson.