moccasins, puckered toe

moccasins, puckered toe

moccasins, puckered toe

top image
Images
Introduction

These relatives, a pair of beaded Hodenosaunee moccasins, feature Seneca style linear beadwork and are the puckered-toe type with T-heel construction. Although the precise origins of there relatives are not clear, in 1941 through an exchange with the Philadelphia Museum of Art, they were acquired by the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, where they currently reside. 

Name of Maker(s): Maker Unrecorded
Nation of Maker: Hodenosaunee/Haudenosaunee Seneca
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

Linear style of the beadwork indicates it is Seneca.

Date Made or Date Range: 1820s to 1840s
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

The information in this record is based on documentation from the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Materials

tanned animal hide; black velvet; red and dark blue cotton braided tape; red cotton tape; beige cotton; small (size 12 or 14) glass beads, opalescent, opaque white, opaque blue, opaque mustard, translucent red, translucent green; beige cotton thread.

Techniques or Format

These moccasins are the puckered-toe type with T-heel construction. Only one has a cuff attached. The vamps are made with velvet, on top of which has been sewn cotton and then beaded applique. The vamps are edged with blue cotton tape, a single line of opaque white beads, red cotton braided tape, another line of beads, blue cotton tape, and another line of beads. The ankle flap is edged with red cotton tape, with extra tape left at both sides as a tie.

Motifs and Patterns

Linear style beadwork. The lobed motifs may represent flowers.

Dimensions: 23.3 × 8 × 9 cm
Condition: One cuff is missing on one moccasin.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

The linear style of Hondenosaunee beadwork was made during this time.

Current Location: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 41-24-11A-B
Link to Institution's Collections Database: https://www.penn.museum/collections/object/108087
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1941
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Exchange with Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1941
Date Relative was First Removed or Collected from its Community Context: Before 1941
Collection Narratives and Histories

In 1941 through an exchange with the Philadelphia Museum of Art, they were acquired by the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, where they currently reside.

Source for Provenance information

University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

GKS Reference Number: 25257
How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Moccasins, puckered toe. GRASAC ID 25257. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 41-24-11A & 41-24-11B.

Record Creation Context

This information was gathered during a GRASAC study visit, participants: David Penney, Ruth Phillips, Stacey Loyer, and William Wierzbowski, December 3, 2009.
This record was augmented by Joy Kruse on March 3, 2025.

Do You Have Knowledge to Contribute? Share with Us.