Gilcrease Museum is temporarily closed for construction.

Get the Full Story

Beaded leather moccasins with American flag motif and letters against a white background / Unknown

Essay/Description

Child's moccasins with initials HB beaded in blue on the vamp with an American flag in a field of white beads. The edges of the ankle cuff are picot beaded with black and translucent bluish-white beads. Intermittent sections of geometric beaded motifs in red, dark blue, yellow and turquoise encircle the shoe just above the sole.

Curatorial Remarks

The bead work on the heel indicates Cheyenne and early 20th century. This pair of moccasins have worn soles. Initials "HB" with American flag design on top of the foot.

Tags: American flag, white, red, blue, greasy yellow beads, bead work, leather ties, light blue
People: possibly Cheyenne or Arapaho
Places: Oklahoma
Purpose: possibly domestic use or ceremonial events

From interviews with Dr. Garrick Bailey, 2018-2020 University of Tulsa, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology

You may be interested in...

Title(s): 
Beaded leather moccasins with American flag motif and letters against a white background
Creator(s): 
Unknown
Culture: 
Native American; possibly Arapaho
Date: 
late 19th century - early 20th century
Period: 
Historic
Place: 
United States of America
Materials/Techniques: 
rawhide, semi-tanned skin, sinew, glass
Classification: 
Object Type: 
Accession No: 
84.2321a-b
Department: 
Not On View

Our Online Collections site is a work in progress. If you have information about this item that may be of assistance, please contact us.