Relics of the American West: 1850-1920 - ONLINE ONLY
Lot 2319:
Description
These classic “Bearpaw” style snowshoes are a testament to traditional winter craftsmanship, likely dating from the mid-20th century. Constructed with sturdy steam-bent wood frames and intricate rawhide (babiche) webbing, they feature a wide, tailless design optimized for maneuverability in dense brush and heavy forest. The webbing shows charming decorative red and blue dyed accents along the perimeter. While the manufacturer is not marked, the tight weave and reinforced mortise joints suggest professional North American production, possibly from the Maine or Quebec regions. Condition is fair to good; the wooden frames remain structurally intact, but there is significant damage to the rawhide webbing, including several large breaks, fraying, and areas where the lacing has separated from the frame. They serve best as rustic decorative pieces or candidates for professional re-weaving. H 29″, W 21″, D 1″. Please see photos.
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