Moccasins, quilled

Moccasins, quilled

Moccasins, quilled

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Introduction

A pair of early 19th century moccasins, Anishinaabe or Mushkegowuk from Canada. They are decorated with quillwork and have holes in their soles. In the collections of the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, University of Glasgow. Donor unknown.

Nation of Maker: Mushkegowuk (Western James Bay Cree)
Nation of Origin

Based on the museum attribution of 'Ojibway or Cree.'

Date Made or Date Range: 1700s to 1820s
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Museum documentation and the GRASAC research team.

Materials

Moose or deer hide; porcupine quills, cream and dyed blue, green and red; sinew or thread

Techniques or Format

The moccasins have an inset vamp, with a pointed toe gathered onto the front flap, a heel dart and separate cuffs. The vamps are decorated with quill embroidery in zig-zag band and single quill stitches. There are holes in the bottom soles of both moccasins.

Motifs and Patterns

The museum catalogue description states that that they are decorated with "zoomorphic forms, possibly insects"

Dimensions: 26.5 × 0 × 0 cm
Condition: Fair. There are holes in the soles, and there are signs of considerable wear.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

According to the museum catalogue, an attached typewritten label reads 'Ojibway or Cree, early 19th century, Canada.'

Current Location: Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery at the University of Glasgow, Scotland
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: GLAHM E.109/3
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: unknown
Date Relative was First Removed or Collected from its Community Context: before 1820
Sources to Learn More

Phelps, Steven. 1976 Art and artefacts of the Pacific, Africa and the Americas : the James Hooper Collection / [by] Steven Phelps Hutchinson [for Christie, Manson & Woods] (London) p. 328, 344 and 345.

GKS Reference Number: 25092
How to Cite this Item

Item to be cited by catalog number, collection and institution.

Record Creation Context

This record was created during a GRASAC research visit to The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, University of Glasgow, April 2007.

Record Creation Notes/Observations

On-site researchers: Cory Willmott, Laura Peers, Ruth Phillips, Keith Jamieson, Alan Corbiere, Sally-Ann Coupar

Approximate Place of Origin

45.8, -83.9

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