Whimsy

Whimsy

Whimsy

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Introduction

Victorian-style boot, opening scalloped, cotton cloth stuffing, light orange cloth front, back panel beige cloth, lavishly beaded and beaded sequin accents

Nation of Maker: Other
Nation of Origin

Catalogue records attribute this artifact to the Iroquois.

Date Made or Date Range: Early 20th C
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Based on catalogue records.

Materials

Cotton cloth, stuffing, cardboard, cotton thread, bead, sequins, paper.

Techniques or Format

Patterned in Victoriana high-heeled style boot shape; Upper edges along opening slightly scalloped; Cardboard stiffener was used to keep leg portion of boot in shape; Foot area of boot was made by enclosing stuffing in pre-cut cotton cloth; Light orange (previously red) cotton cloth has been sewn over front face of boot; Back panel is of light beige cloth; Boot lavishly beaded in couched stitch: (1) Shape of boot has been outlined with crystal beads in two types of edging -(A) outer edge of diagonally placed short rows of three beads and (B) inner row of double line of single beads; Upper leg portion of boot similarly outlined; (2) Stemmed leaf of crystal and translucent beads runs up heel-vein, accented with purple lined tube bead and single crystal; Beaded gold coloured sequins secured at stems and above leaf; (3) Floral spray of crystal beads with bicoloured leaves of crystal/translucent blue, red, green, and gold runs diagonally down foot area; Single purple lined tube bead accents each leaf vein; Single crystal beaded gold coloured sequins generally sewn into area; (4) Similar floral spray positioned horizontally across leg panel - leaves are bi-coloured crystal/red and blue translucent; (5) Bottom of heel decorated with suspended loops of crystal beads and orange lined and translucent gold tube beads; Ball of foot decorated with suspended loops of crystal beads and green lined and dark translucent blue beads.

Motifs and Patterns

Stemmed leaf of crystal and translucent beads, Floral spray and leaves

Dimensions: 25 × 16 × 3.5 cm
Condition: Good; General wear; Front panel faded; Tear and sewn repair in back panel; Some bead deterioration and loose strands of beads.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

from catalogue records

Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: H4-1-58
Collection at Current Location: Cultural Anthropology Collection
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1986
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: The Curiosity Shop, Winnipeg
Collection Narratives and Histories

Examples of tourist art and "couched bead work" technique.

GKS Reference Number: 58801
How to Cite this Item

Manitoba Museum

Approximate Place of Origin

43.3, -78.1

Source of Information about Places

Northeast Great Lakes-Riverine