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Sioux Fully Beaded Buffalo Hide Ceremonial Moccasins
Sioux, northern Plains
Buffalo hide, glass beads, sinew
Length 10 3/4" (27.3 cm)
Provenance: Yoshi Miyake, New York
Fully beaded ceremonial moccasins represent the highest expression of Sioux beadwork production, the complete coverage of both vamp and sole in dense seed bead work distinguishing them from everyday footwear and marking them as objects made for important occasions or burial use. The practice of beading the sole, which would be invisible during wear, reflects the ceremonial intent of the piece, the decoration directed toward spiritual rather than social display. Moccasins of this category produced in the late 19th century are among the most technically demanding objects in the Plains beadwork tradition, the maker required to sustain consistent bead placement across a complex three-dimensional form.
This pair is fully beaded on buffalo hide across the vamp, upper, and sole in polychrome geometric patterning in white, red, green, dark blue, and ochre tones, sinew-sewn throughout with the construction consistent and the bead surface dense and even. The beaded sole and the overall completeness of the coverage indicate these were made for ceremonial rather than everyday use. Provenance traces to Yoshi Miyake of New York.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Sioux, northern Plains
Buffalo hide, glass beads, sinew
Length 10 3/4" (27.3 cm)
Provenance: Yoshi Miyake, New York
Fully beaded ceremonial moccasins represent the highest expression of Sioux beadwork production, the complete coverage of both vamp and sole in dense seed bead work distinguishing them from everyday footwear and marking them as objects made for important occasions or burial use. The practice of beading the sole, which would be invisible during wear, reflects the ceremonial intent of the piece, the decoration directed toward spiritual rather than social display. Moccasins of this category produced in the late 19th century are among the most technically demanding objects in the Plains beadwork tradition, the maker required to sustain consistent bead placement across a complex three-dimensional form.
This pair is fully beaded on buffalo hide across the vamp, upper, and sole in polychrome geometric patterning in white, red, green, dark blue, and ochre tones, sinew-sewn throughout with the construction consistent and the bead surface dense and even. The beaded sole and the overall completeness of the coverage indicate these were made for ceremonial rather than everyday use. Provenance traces to Yoshi Miyake of New York.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.