$395.00
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Early 20th Century
Hand Crafted from Hide Leather with Glass Seed Beads in a Floral Motif Design with Cuffs
In Very Good Condition
Northern Plains Cree beaded moccasins are a beautiful example of traditional Indigenous craftsmanship from the Cree people of the northern Great Plains region (primarily in parts of present-day Canada, such as Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, with cultural ties extending into northern U.S. areas).
These moccasins are typically made from soft, smoke-tanned or brain-tanned animal hides like moose, deer, or buffalo, resulting in a supple, comfortable fit. They often feature soft soles (sometimes semi-soft or with rawhide reinforcements) and are hand-sewn with sinew or thread. The defining feature is the intricate beadwork, usually done in a lazy stitch technique using colorful glass seed beads acquired through trade.
Cree beadwork from this region often emphasizes floral motifs— vibrant flowers, leaves, stems, and buds in reds, blues, greens, pinks, oranges, yellows, and golds — reflecting influences from Métis and Woodland Cree styles blended with Plains aesthetics. Some examples incorporate geometric patterns or more abstract designs, but florals are especially characteristic of Plains Cree work. The uppers (vamps) are frequently fully or partially beaded, with cuffs sometimes fringed or decorated, and ties for a secure fit.
