Knowledge Sharing Platform
moccasins, quillwork
moccasins, quillwork
moccasins, quillwork
A pair of black smoked hide moccasins with centre seams and ankle flaps, decorated with quillwork and metal cones. Early 19th century. The row of dome shapes along the lower edge of the cuff could represent sky domes, typically Hodenosaunee. However, the small cones and alternating tassels of red and blue hair are usually thought to be typical of Huron-Wendat moccasin decoration. In the collections of The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, University of Glasgow. Donor unknown.
An attached typewritten label reads 'Iroquois, early 19th century, Canada.'
The row of dome shapes along the lower edge of the cuff could represent sky domes, typically Hodenosaunee. The small cones and alternating tassels of red and blue hair (moosehair?) are, however, usually thought to be typical of Huron-Wendat moccasin decoration.
Museum documentation and the GRASAC research team.
Read More About This Relative
black smoked hide (deer); porcupine quills, cream and dyed red and blue; sinew; moose or deer hair, dyed blue and red; small metal cones.
The moccasins have fine even puckering along the centre seams of the vamps, pointed toes, and attached cuffs. The centre seams are covered with quill embroidery in zig-zag band stitching. The heel centre seam is undecorated. Quite a lot of blue dye has been used in the embroidered quills and hair tufts.
Scroll, leaf and dome motifs.
Ruth Phillips: The stylized floral motifs are unusual and interesting because the flowers are represented by combining a scrolling motif resembling the northeastern double curve with an unambiguous representation of a plant stem and leaf.
The row of dome shapes along the lower edge of the cuff could represent sky domes, typically Hodenosaunee. The small cones and alternating tassels of red and blue hair (moosehair?) are, however, usually thought to be typical of Huron-Wendat moccasin decoration.
An attached typewritten label reads 'Iroquois, early 19th century, Canada.'
Provenance
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.
About This GRASAC Record
Item to be cited by catalog number, collection and institution.
This record was created during a GRASAC research visit to The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, University of Glasgow, April 2007.
On-site researchers: Cory Willmott, Laura Peers, Ruth Phillips, Keith Jamieson, Alan Corbiere, Sally-Ann Coupar