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EXTREMELY RARE COLLECTOR MOCCASINS- Artic Inuit circa early 1900's!!

$ 343.2

Availability: 65 in stock
  • Culture: Native American: US
  • Modified Item: No
  • Condition: Incredible condition for their age!!
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Canada
  • Provenance: Ownership History Available
  • Origin: From Collection of Dr. Wilbur Haig
  • Tribal Affiliation: Inuit or Metis
  • Handmade: Yes

    Description

    EXTREMELY RARE COLLECTOR MOCCASINS- Artic Inuit circa early 1900's!!
    I purchased these one-of-a-kind moccasins in 2007 from a family member whose father bought these in 1922!!!! They had remained in the family, in a non-smoking home in a glass cabinet. They are INCREDIBLE!!!
    These moccasins are decorated with an outer row of porcupine quills surrounding an embroidered floral design on velvet. They are 9 3/4" long and 4 1/2" wide. They are circa early 1900's- they show evidence of wear but are still incredibly soft.
    Here is the story from the owner:
    ""These moccasins have remained in the family since my father and his brother worked in the Arctic during the summers of 1922 & 23 while medical students at McGill University in Montreal. Years later my dad related their experience in his autobiography
    "Our Mackenzie River Adventures".
    Here is the story link: https://www.ulethbridge.ca/lib/digitized_collections/ourheritage/pharmacy/haig_mackenzie_river1.html
    These moccasins were characteristic footwear of the First Nations. The flexibility of these soft-soled shoes enabled people to wear snowshoes, which allowed them to move quietly across the land, or to step into a birch bark canoe without damaging it.
    The First Nations people loved to decorate their clothing, and porcupine quills were used. Later, after contact with European traders and settlers, the First Nations acquired glass beads, tin and shroud cloth for this purpose. In the second half of the 19th century, fur traders brought embroidery thread, needles and scissors to the north.""
    I wanted to list these on an open auction, but this pair of moccasins are too valuable. I am open to
    reasonable
    offers.
    Payment in full is expected within 48 hours after item closes.  I ship moccasins Priority Mail so there is tracking and insurance. I will add to cover added insurance.
    I have MANY valuable moccasins, baskets and other old Native American beadwork. I am deciding whether to do an auction or fixed price- I will see how existing auction items sell and if I get fair prices, I will sell almost all on open auction.
    No returns unless item is grossly misrepresented. Please contact me if you are unhappy in ANY WAY before posting any negatives remarks.
    I work very hard to assure authenticity and show item in detail including any flaws. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have.
    Please view photos closely as we try to offer up-close details at different angles. The pictures are not taken by a professional.
    All pieces have been collected or purchased at auctions, earlier years on Ebay, galleries or from private collections etc. The information offered on each piece is a combination of personal research or information received when it was purchased.
    Unless otherwise stated, documentation and provenance are not available on most pieces. We offer all the available information and background that we have on each piece in our descriptions. If variation of color, etc... is important to you, please ask for more information before purchasing.