Lot 86

19th C. Assiniboine Beaded Bifurcated Moccasins

Estimate: $2,500 - $3,500

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
This is an excellent set of 19th Century beaded Indian hide moccasins from the Assiniboine Native American Indians with rare triple bifurcated tongue. The set exhibits Indian tanned hide with original 19th Century period correct glass trade seed beads being sinew sewn and the entire hide surface having a nice yellow ocher / ochre mineral pigment painted coloring. The set has a medium height ankle with beaded border, original Indian tanend hide tie strap and trade clothe border (with obvious fraying from honest age). The beadwork exhibits a classic Assiniboine pattern, commonly referred to by collectors as "Buffalo Tracks" or "Bison Tracks". The beadwork shows sinew sewing with colors of greasy yellow, greasy blue, greasy green, corn yellow, sky padre light blue, red white hearts, blue and faceted brass. One of the exciting original features of the set is the triple bifurcated tongue, or more commonly referred to as triple split tongue, which are completely beaded with a geometric pattern and at the ends of each split are two rolled tin jingle dangle cones with yellow dyed horse hair. The bases of the moccasins were professionally repaired many years ago, as the original hard sole parfleche bases had presumably deteriorated, now the soles are Indian tanned hide marked by a previous collector / musuem "Assiniboine". The beadwork is in excellent condition with little to no bead loss, the top hide shows some stiffening but overall has a nice soft supple finish. Provenance: From the ex-collection from Washington state and a private collection from the greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. Each shows well preserved condition with no major damages and measures 10.25"L sole, 4.25"H ankle, and 4"W. Assiniboine moccasins such as these dating to circa 1870-1890, especially with the triple split tongue and amazing beadwork, are extremely scarce.
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