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Lot Essay
Historic objects from the American Indians of the Southeastern tribes are uncommon. Moccasins in particular exist in collections with conspicuous rarity. However limited, beadwork from the region is noted for its excellence.
In addition to its inherent beauty, this pair of Creek moccasins, exhibits several characteristic features. The basic pattern and construction are simple. Each moccasin is cut from a single piece of tanned hide, with integral cuffs. The front seam extends from the tip of the toe to the point where the cuffs meet in front. An additional seam extends vertically up the heel. As with these moccasins, Southeastern artists often first assembled the moccasins and then beaded over the seams, contrary to the usual procedure of applying decoration to a pair of moccasins prior to assembly. The appliqued beadwork design was also worked in "reverse order," as the interior of the design--the concentric lines of black, and "pony trader blue"--was created first and then outlined in white beads, going against the usual procedure of creating the outline first and filling in motifs with lines of beads afterwards.
Geometric, floral, and abstract motifs decorate a narrow range of object types from the Southeast. The abstract curvilinear motifs on these moccasins are typical for baldrics, bandolier bags, and moccasins. Assymetry of decoration is fairly common in Southeastern Indian arts, but has only minor presence here. The zigzag lines over the silk fabric covering the heels are oriented in the same direction, rather than being mirror images of each other.
Benson L. Lanford
April 26, 2001
In addition to its inherent beauty, this pair of Creek moccasins, exhibits several characteristic features. The basic pattern and construction are simple. Each moccasin is cut from a single piece of tanned hide, with integral cuffs. The front seam extends from the tip of the toe to the point where the cuffs meet in front. An additional seam extends vertically up the heel. As with these moccasins, Southeastern artists often first assembled the moccasins and then beaded over the seams, contrary to the usual procedure of applying decoration to a pair of moccasins prior to assembly. The appliqued beadwork design was also worked in "reverse order," as the interior of the design--the concentric lines of black, and "pony trader blue"--was created first and then outlined in white beads, going against the usual procedure of creating the outline first and filling in motifs with lines of beads afterwards.
Geometric, floral, and abstract motifs decorate a narrow range of object types from the Southeast. The abstract curvilinear motifs on these moccasins are typical for baldrics, bandolier bags, and moccasins. Assymetry of decoration is fairly common in Southeastern Indian arts, but has only minor presence here. The zigzag lines over the silk fabric covering the heels are oriented in the same direction, rather than being mirror images of each other.
Benson L. Lanford
April 26, 2001