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Moccasins

ca. 1830
Not on view
Women constructed each delicate yet functional center-seam moccasin from a single piece of dyed hide. This pair of moccasins, likely worn on special occasions, features elaborate floral and zigzag patterns. They are embroidered with tiny trade beads strung on a cotton thread with a stiffened tip and then secured to the hide with a needle and thread. The golden beads on the toes are metal, a valuable trade good, and the silk lining allowed the wearer to reveal a glint of luxury fabric at the ankle.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Moccasins
  • Date: ca. 1830
  • Geography: Possibly made in Georgia, United States; Possibly made in Alabama, United States
  • Culture: Muscogee/ Creek, Native American
  • Medium: Tanned leather, dye, cotton cloth, silk ribbon, and glass and metal beads
  • Dimensions: Left: 5 1/2 × 5 × 8 5/8 in. (14 × 12.7 × 21.9 cm)
    Right: 5 1/4 × 4 1/8 × 8 3/4 in. (13.3 × 10.5 × 22.2 cm)
  • Credit Line: The Charles and Valerie Diker Collection of Native American Art, Gift of Valerie-Charles Diker Fund, 2017
  • Object Number: 2017.718.10a, b
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

More Artwork

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Blanket strip, Tanned leather and glass beads, Central Plains, probably Lakota/Teton Sioux, Native American
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Shoulder bag, Wool cloth, glass beads, silk ribbon, and silk tassels, Muscogee/ Creek, Native American
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Muscogee/ Creek, Native American
ca. 1830
Peonies Blown in the Wind, John La Farge American, Leaded opalescent glass, American
Peonies Blown in the Wind
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ca. 1880
Pier Table, Joseph Meeks & Sons American, Mahogany veneer, mahogany; pine, ash (secondary woods); marble, glass, American
Pier Table
Joseph Meeks & Sons
1829–35
Bacchante and Infant Faun, Frederick William MacMonnies American, Bronze, American
Bacchante and Infant Faun
Frederick William MacMonnies
Thiébaut frères
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