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Soft soled leather moccasins with beaded geometric designs on the vamp and silk trimmed cuffs / Unknown

Essay/Description

Soft soled leather moccasins with beaded, geometric designs on the vamp. The cuff is bordered by red silk and beads, while the rest of the cuff was, at one time, lined in blue silk with yellow beading. The bead work is done with a spot stitch.

In the Northeastern tribes, men and women would wear moccasins or boots made from animals’ hocks, or hind legs. The footwear was sometimes decorated with quillwork or embroidery. Floral and nature-inspired patterns were the most frequently used (Paterek 1994, 42-43).

Curatorial Remarks

These moccasins were most likely worn in the mid to late 19th century.

Tags: Prairie, beadwork, ribbon work, soft sole
People: Delaware
Places: Prairie, Oklahoma or Kansas
Purpose: domestic use

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

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Title(s): 
Soft soled leather moccasins with beaded geometric designs on the vamp and silk trimmed cuffs
Creator(s): 
Unknown
Culture: 
Native American; Delaware
Date: 
late 19th century - early 20th century
Period: 
Historic
Place: 
United States of America
Materials/Techniques: 
hide, glass, silk, cotton
Classification: 
Object Type: 
Accession No: 
84.272a-b
Department: 
Not On View

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