Distinctive pair of antique Native American moccasins, probably a woman’s pair, attributed to the Southern Cheyenne and dating approximately to the early 20th century, circa 1900–1925.The moccasins are hand-crafted from soft tanned hide with broad flaring cuffs, leather thong ties, and separately attached soft leather soles. The vamps feature colorful hand-applied glass seed beads worked in lane/lazy stitch, with each moccasin displaying a symmetrical stylized turtle motif in red, green, blue and other contrasting colors.The Southern Cheyenne attribution is based on the combination of the beadwork design and construction. The turtle imagery is consistent with documented Southern Cheyenne beadwork, including a woman’s turtle design incorporating short legs extending from a central geometric body. Particularly notable are the two small leather tabs or “tails” projecting from the back of each heel, a construction detail documented in early descriptions of Cheyenne moccasins.The pair shows considerable age and honest use, including softened and darkened leather, wear to the soles, and some beadwork wear/loss. Beads do not appear to be loose. The hand-sewn construction is somewhat irregular in places, particularly around the toe of the left moccasin. The two moccasins also vary slightly in size, as is common with individually handmade footwear.Approximate measurements: Right moccasin: 9 inches long. Left moccasin: 8½ inches long. Please note that these measurements are approximate and were taken along the outside of the moccasins. Total length of laces is about 50 inches. There is no known documented provenance, so the tribal attribution and date are offered as an informed attribution based on construction and comparison with documented examples, rather than as a documented provenance.Please examine all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the description and show the condition, beadwork, construction and natural irregularities of this handmade antique pair.
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