Sioux Indian Ceremonial Moccasin, ca. 1870-1890

Description

These highly sought after moccasins had completely beaded soles because they were
placed on a dead warrior for burial and never intended for daily use. This single moccasin
is 9 ½” long with green and red heart bead design of diamonds and triangles in a white
border on the base and a matching top stripe, all on cobalt blue background. The sole is
beaded with a red and green checkerboard pattern with white border. A few sections of
beads are missing, primarily on the sole. This moccasin shows great age and exposure to
the elements, indicating it could have been removed from a long-dead Indian many years
ago. This is definitely not one of those pieces made for the tourist trade, but an actual
period Indian moccasin. Tom Richards Collection.