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Moccasins, pair
Moccasins, pair
Moccasins, pair
These relatives, a pair of moccasins, are embroidered with quills to create leaf motifs. They are composed of hide, red and blue woolen strips, sinew, and porcupine quills (natural white, and coloured blue and red). Other design features include an inset ᓵᓯᓂᐆ saasiniuu (vamp) and added cuffs, along with vamp and heel seams embroidered with quills. The quillwork includes a simple line and zigzag band techniques. These relatives were collected by British Army officer Jasper Grant between 1800 and 1809. The origins of the moccasins are not certain; however, they have probable connections to the Innu (Montagnais-Naskapi Eastern Cree).
This relative currently resides at the National Museum of Ireland.
Innu (Montagnais-Naskapi Eastern Cree)
This information was informed by the following resource: Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, On.: Patterns of Power, 1984.
GRASAC research notes.
Read More About This Relative
Hide; woollen strips, blue, red; porcupine quills, blue, red, natural white; sinew.
Inset vamp and added cuffs; woollen strips sewn between cuff and shoe, red with notched edge; vamp and heel seams embroidered with quills; quill work in simple line and zigzag band techniques.
"In construction as well as in their rigidly symmetrical stylized floral designs these moccasins differ from most Great Lakes examples. The added cloth trim under the cuff is more typical of central and western sub-Arctic peoples, while the floral elements resemble Innu (Montagnais-Naskapi Eastern Cree) motifs."(Phillips, Patterns of Power)
This information was informed by the following resource: Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, On.: Patterns of Power, 1984.
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 a research trip to the National Museum of Ireland on July 22, 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: 24910. National Museum of Ireland Collection 1902.346.
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 22, 2010. Participants included Alan Corbiere, Ruth Phillips, Crystal Migwans, and Nicholas Stolle, who were assisted by Padraig Clancy and Emma Crosby.