Relics of the American West: 1850-1920 - ONLINE ONLY
Lot 2509:
Description
These late 19th to early 20th-century Native American moccasins, likely of Sioux (Lakota) or Cheyenne origin, represent a masterclass in Plains artistry. The design features traditional “lazy stitch” glass seed beadwork in shades of cobalt blue, greasy yellow, and white, framing a vibrant central panel of dyed porcupine quillwork. The “box-and-border” motif on the vamps, rendered in red and purple quills, was a highly labor-intensive technique often reserved for ceremonial or high-status footwear. Constructed from brain-tanned buckskin with hand-sewn rawhide soles, the set shows a history of authentic use. The condition is fair to good; there is significant loss to the porcupine quillwork on both vamps, exposing the underlying hide, along with scattered bead loss and typical hardening/soiling of the leather consistent with age. H 5″, W 4″, D 10″. Please see photos.
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