Red River Metis. <em>Pair of Moccasins</em>, early 19th century. Smoked hide, porcupine quills, bird quills, sinew, Each: 4 1/2 × 5 × 11 in. (11.4 × 12.7 × 27.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Henry L. Batterman Fund and Frank Sherman Benson Fund, 50.67.22a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.50.67.22a-b.jpg)

Pair of Moccasins

Artist:Red River Metis

Medium: Smoked hide, porcupine quills, bird quills, sinew

Geograhical Locations:

Dates:early 19th century

Dimensions: Each: 4 1/2 × 5 × 11 in. (11.4 × 12.7 × 27.9 cm)

Collections:

Accession Number: 50.67.22a-b

Image: CUR.50.67.22a-b.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
Made of heavily smoked skin sewn with sinew, the vamps of these moccasins are decorated with a delicate, quillwork design. A central, vertically oriented, diamond shape in red is surrounded by four diagonal leaf-like elements in blue. The tri-lobed petals at top are red at center, blue on each side. The lower petals are red at center, white on each side. The seam is also outlined with blue and white bird quills. The moccasins are constructed without the usual characteristic center seam running from the toe to a vamp. A heel seam, center to the cuff and bottom, ends in two short tabs. There is no evidence that these moccasins were ever worn. See Jarvis supplemental file in Arts of Americas office.

Brooklyn Museum