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ca. 1870-1890 SIOUX FULLY BEADED
MOCCASINS – SINEW SEWN –
STRIKING PATTERN, BEAUTIFUL
COLORS AND IN VERY GOOD CONDITION:
This is a beautiful set of fully beaded Lakota-Sioux
moccasins judged to date from the last three decades of
the 19th Century, showing genuine use by the
Native American owner.
The beadwork features full coverage in a pleasant
combination of colors, incorporating the well known
mountain or lodge patterns, crosses and rectangles
elements. The beadwork is overall complete with no loss
of beads or broken strands. The colors of beads include
a very pretty medium royal blue, dark blue, rose-white
lined, and greasy yellow. The beadwork was executed in
animal sinew, as was the assembly of the moccasins.
This pair exhibits evidence that they were worn on a
regular basis for some time before being acquired as a
collectible.
The native brain tanned hide uppers are in excellent
condition, still soft and supple. While showing some
sign of wear, again consistent with the condition of the
soles and cloth trim, there are no split seams or weak
points. The buckskin cuff of the left moccasin was
replaced during the period of use with a strip of brown
cotton cloth. That this pair was originally made with
buckskin cuffs, and then at some point the one cuff had
to be replaced and was executed with a piece of cloth,
may indicate that this pair was made prior to the family
entering the reservation. Once on the reservation
buckskin became a premium commodity and cloth was more
available. The replacement was definitely executed
during the period this pair was still being worn, and
while the cloth is solid without any damage or tears, it
does show discoloration and soiling from regular use.
The soles may very well be buffalo hide, as they retain
that characteristic brown color found on early buffalo
rawhide on the inner surface of the soles. The soles of
both moccasins are in very solid condition, full form
with all of the stitching to the uppers intact. Both
show evidence of wear and the imprint of the original
owner’s feet, and the sole of the right moccasin has a
worn spot that was nicely repaired years ago.
The moccasins measure a full 9 ½” long and are 3 ¼” wide
at the ball of the foot.
This is a very attractive pair of early Lakota Sioux
moccasins, made for use by a family member and not
produced for commercial trade that has survived in very
nice condition.
(0332) $1550
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