moccasins, moosehair embroidered

moccasins, moosehair embroidered

moccasins, moosehair embroidered

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Introduction

A pair of Huron-Wendat moccasins of native tanned black-dyed hide with moosehair embroidery in floral motifs, probably made in the first three decades of the 19th century. Acquired by the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology from the Wisbech Museum in 1949, presented by the Rev. J. Bownie and collected by Townshend.

Nation of Maker: Huron-Wendat
Nation of Origin

Based on style of moccasin and embroidery.

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

Museum documentation and the GRASAC research team.

Materials

native tanned hide dyed black (now faded to dark brown); red silk ribbon, moosehair in blue, white, and red orange; thread

Techniques or Format

Each moccasins is made of six pieces of hide: set-in vamp, body, two-piece cuff, set in gussets. Moosehair embroidery decorates the vamps and cuffs.

Motifs and Patterns

Stylized floral motifs.

Other Notes

The hide is used so that the smoother side faces out.

Dimensions: 24 × 0 × 10 cm
Condition: Good. There is some fading in the moosehair colours.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Based on their similarity to moccasins Pourtales collection in Bern made in the 1820s.

Current Location: Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, UK
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 1949.215 A and B
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1949
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Wisbech Museum
Date Relative was First Removed or Collected from its Community Context: 1800 to 1949
Collection Narratives and Histories

Acquired by the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology from the Wisbech Museum in 1949, presented by the Rev. J. Bownie and collected by Townshend.

GKS Reference Number: 27281
How to Cite this Item

Unknown Huron-Wendat artist, moccasins, moosehair embroidered. Currently in the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 1949.215 A and B. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip May 2009; GRASAC item id 27281.

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.

Approximate Place of Origin

46.869279102, -71.347896113

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