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Moccasins, pair
Moccasins, pair
Moccasins, pair
These relatives, a pair of moccasins, were collected by British Army officer Jasper Grant between 1800-1809. Composed of tanned deerskin, dyed porcupine quills (including blue, black, white, green, and red), as well as silk ribbon (including pink, light blue, dark blue, yellow, and blue-green), and white glass beads. The thread is probably commercial. The moccasins appear to be constructed of one piece with the ankle flaps sewn on. The centre and heel seem to be embroidered with quills, forming a zigzag pattern as well as simple line stitches. The cuffs have been appliqued with ribbon. The origins of the moccasins are not certain; however, they have probable connections to the Haudenosaunee/Hodenosaunee, Wyandot, or Shawnee.
This relative currently resides at the National Museum of Ireland.
Hodenosaunee, Wyandot, or Shawnee.
This information was informed by the following resource: Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, On.: Patterns of Power, 1984.
This information was informed by the following resource: Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, On.: Patterns of Power, 1984
Read More About This Relative
Tanned deerskin; porcupine quills, blue, black, white, green, red; silk ribbon, pink, light blue, dark blue, yellow, blue-green; glass beads, white; commercial thread.
Shoe constructed of one piece with ankle flaps of black stroud sewn on; centre and heel seams embroidered with porcupine quills; quill work in zigzag band and simple line stitches; cuffs appliqued with ribbon.
This information was informed by the following resource: Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, On.: Patterns of Power, 1984. It is also determined based on the fact that Jasper Grant served as commandant of Fort George in the Niagara Peninsula and of Fort Malden at Amherstburg opposite Detroit from 1800-1809.
Provenance
Jasper Grant (1762-1812), Anglo-Irish officer who spent 9 years in Canada between 1800-1809. Served as commandant of Fort George in the Niagara Peninsula and of Fort Malden at Amherstburg opposite Detroit. It is likely that his wife, Isabella Grant, played a significant role in the collection of items given her close relationship to Madeline Askin Richardson, the daughter of a prominent fur trader and merchant with extensive ties to the surrounding Indigenous communities.
GRASAC researcher notes from research trip to the National Museum of Ireland on July 21, 2010.
In 1984-1985 the Jasper Grant Collection was featured in a special travelling exhibition for the Ontario bicentennial, which was organized by the McMichael Canadian Collection and entitled "Patterns of Power."
Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg,On.: McMichael Canadian Collection, 1984.
Philips, Ruth B. (1986-87). “Jasper Grant and Edward Walsh: the Gentleman-Soldier as Early Collector of Great Lakes Indian Art.” Journal of Canadian Studies 21(4): 56-71.
About This GRASAC Record
Maker, Name unrecorded. Moccasins. GRASAC ID: 1385. National Museum of Ireland Collection NMI 1902.343.
This record was augmented by Dana Murray on July 15, 2024. It draws on information recorded during the GRASAC Research trip to the National Museum of Ireland on July 21, 2010. Participants included Alan Corbiere, Crystal Migwans, Bnhnens Corbiere, Rachel Hand, Nikolaus Stolle and Ruth Phillips, who were assisted by Padraig Clancy.