Gros Ventre Fully Beaded Moccasins c. 1870-80

Gros Ventre Fully Beaded Moccasins c. 1870-80
The lot features a fine authentic set of 19th Century fully beaded moccasins from the Gros Ventre Native American Indians of Northern Montana. The moccasins date to circa 1870-1880 and show an Indian tanned Buffalo hide with sinew sewing being adorned with all period correct glass trade seed cen 1800's beads in a traditional geometric pattern. The beads include such colors as medium green, chalk white, red white hearts, greasy yellow and cobalt. The Gros Ventre Indian tribe (also referred to as the A'ani, A'aninin, Haaninin, and Atisina) are a Algonquian speaking people from the North Central Montana region. The Gros Ventre's migrated to Montana in the 18th Century due to pressure from the Ojibwe Indians. This pattern of two hoof like top beadwork with a central design is referred to as the Buffalo track pattern. It is immensely rare to show examples with beadwork across not only the entire tops, sides and back but also across the bottom. The set shows bead loss and hide cracking with the hide showing areas that are dry and some supple. The hide on the bottom shows signs of wear and dirt from use and the set has a nice patina. The ankle has a hide tie and remnants of trade clothe piping or edging. This pair of moccasins measures 9 1/4" long by 4" wide. Provenance: From a large Western Cowboy and American Indian collection in Dayton, Wyoming.
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