pair of beaded moccasins, unrecorded Potawatomi artist

The construction of this footwear is a standard Potawotomi style buckskin with large ankle flaps that cover the top of the form. However, the beading pattern is a mixture of different styles.

Some believe that the Potawatomi, Chippewa, and Ottawa were once a unified tribe. Perhaps that ancestry, combined with their interactions with other groups such as the Ho-Chunk, Kansa, Otoe, Missouri, and Pawnee, explains the integration of beading styles found in this example of Prairie moccasins. The vamp or foot proper areas of these moccasins are decorated in a bi-laterally symmetrical, abstract curvilinear design reminiscent of a floral or woodland derived stylization. The ankle cuffs/flaps reveal a beaded geometric style. This unique beading style was most likely a result of the homogenization of tribal influences when these different cultures of people came together. The extensive beading and festive colors and decorations would suggest that these moccasins were intended for a celebratory event. This pair represents a very fine example of the unification of styles that reflects strength and resilience in the face of frequent relocation.