This is a extraordinarily rare circa 1870 beaded hide moccasins from the Mescalero Apache Native Americans from the Bruce VanLandingham Sundog collection. The set is comprised of parfleche rawhide hard soles with Indian tanned hide tops being covered in period correct 19th Century glass trade seed beadwork in a traditional Apache geometric pattern with bifurcated split fancy beaded tongue. Mescalero Apache beadwork is incredibly uncommon with moccasins being very scarce. The set shows a scalloped medium height ankle with tapering cut, bifurcated split tongue and rear of the sole protruding past the ankle, all early Mescalero Apache moccasin features. The beadwork includes colors of red white heart, chalk white, cobalt, butterscotch, semi-transparent green. The set is both sinew and trade thread sewn. For example see the Mescalero Apache moccasins from the late 19th Century sold in 2019 by Cowan's for $7,380 (w/ bp). Provenance: From the renowned Sundog Fine Art Bozeman, Montana collection by Bruce VanLandingham. Bruce VanLandingham was a pillar in the American Indian collecting community and a respected expert. Along with being an avid collector, Bruce was also the sole owner of Sundog Fine Art Gallery in Bozeman, which was both part museum and gallery, this piece is directly from the collection. The ball shows little bead loss and overall displays well. The set shows some hide cracking, stiffness and softness, slight bead loss and hide tearing, but stand complete and display well. The ties traps are tied at the tongue and the back of the straps are both broken off. Each measures 9 7/8"L by 3 7/8"W by 4.5"H. Museum collection number E1062.