Antique Ojibwa Cree Métis Indian Pair Beaded Moccasins, Prob. 1880-1900

Description

Antique Ojibwa, Cree or Métis Indian Pair of Beaded Moccasins,
Handmade,
Prob. 1880-1900
This pair of Ojibwa, Cree, or Métis moccasins originate from the Upper Great Lakes or Western Ontario region and date around 1880-1900.  They are constructed with 2 types of leather, deer on the cuffs and possibly moose on the main body, black wool trade cloth, and panels of fine small glass and metallic beads in a floral pattern on black velvet.  The beaded panels are sewn to the leather body and edged with 3 multi-colored rows of fine silk-wrapped piping.  The floral beading is particularly fine with tiny white seed beads worked in along the flower stems.
It is generally believed that the floral beaded style was brought to the Great Lakes by French fur trappers, originating from the needlework styles of French Catholic Nuns of Central Quebec who introduced the style to the Huron People who sought refuge on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River between Quebec City and Montreal.  The style was disseminated westward and reinterpreted by different Native American peoples including the Northern Great Lakes Tribes, Cree, Eastern Sioux, the Athapaskan tribes through the Canadian Subarctic to Interior Alaska and to the Northwest Coast (Tlingit) in greatly modified form.
It is likely that these moccasins were collected soon after they were made as indicated by their excellent condition.
Dimensions: 10-1/4" long, 4" max. width, Beaded panels: 3-1/4" long, 3 " max. width
Condition: Excellent original condition.  No defects or repairs to leather.  Beadwork is intact with no losses.