Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11

Handcrafted 1870s Sioux Moccasins, Plains Indian Quillwork & Beaded Buckskin

About the Item

This rare and authentic pair of antique Sioux moccasins dates to the 1870s, during the late Classic Period of Native American artistry (circa 1650–1875). Handcrafted by a Plains Indian artisan of the Sioux Nation—who refer to themselves as the Lakota, Dakota, or Nakota, depending on their regional dialect—these moccasins showcase traditional materials, expert craftsmanship, and vibrant decorative elements. Constructed from soft, native-tanned buckskin (deer hide), the moccasins feature striking quillwork bands—an intricate and time-honored embellishment technique. The porcupine quills are dyed in vivid hues of orange-red, blue, and yellow. Around the soles, the moccasins are hand-beaded with early glass trade beads in blue, white, green, and white-heart red, adding texture and color contrast. Additional features include sturdy rawhide soles and red trade cloth sewn around the openings, offering both durability and visual interest. Each moccasin measures approximately 11.75 inches long, 4.25 inches wide, and 4.5 inches high. The Sioux—Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota peoples—were a nomadic confederation whose historic territory spanned the Great Plains, including present-day North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Montana, and parts of southern Canada. Their moccasins are highly prized for their cultural significance, refined techniques, and rich use of natural and traded materials. These 19th-century Plains Indian moccasins are an outstanding example of Native American wearable art and remain in excellent condition for their age. We have specialized in authentic Native American antiques since 1979, and full authenticity is guaranteed.
  • Creator:
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)Width: 4.25 in (10.8 cm)Depth: 11.75 in (29.85 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Style:
    Native American (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1875
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. very good vintage condition.
  • Seller Location:
    Denver, CO
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 248561stDibs: LU1004629129832

More From This Seller

View All
Circa 1880 Sioux Beaded Deer Hide Dress, Plains Native American, Fringe
By Sioux Indian Art
Located in Denver, CO
This extraordinary antique Sioux beaded hide dress, dating to circa 1880, is a rare and authentic example of Plains Indian textile art. Handcrafted from native-tanned deer hide, the ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Hide, Beads

Antique Plains Tobacco Bag, Beaded & Quilled, Classic Period, Circa 1850-1880
By Native American Art
Located in Denver, CO
This exceptional Plains tobacco bag, dating from circa 1850-1880, is a beautiful example of Native American craftsmanship from the Northern Plains. Made from native-tanned elk or buc...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Hide, Beads

1880s Potawatomi Moccasins, Plains Leather, Northeast Woodlands, Beaded
By Native American Art
Located in Denver, CO
This rare and well preserved pair of circa 1880 Potawatomi moccasins is an exceptional example of 19th-century Northeast Woodlands Native American craftsmanship. Hand-stitched from n...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Animal Skin, Hide, Leather, Beads

20th C. Native American Plains Roach Headdress, Traditional Regalia
Located in Denver, CO
A striking 20th-century Native American Plains Indian roach headdress, also known as a hair ornament, traditionally worn during dances and ceremonies. Thi...
Category

Antique 1880s American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Fur

Antique Crow Beaded Knife Sheath, Native American Plains Indian, Circa 1870
By Crow
Located in Denver, CO
This antique Crow beaded knife sheath, dating from circa 1870, is a remarkable example of Native American craftsmanship from the Classic Period (Pre-Reser...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Hide

Antique 1880s Arapaho Moccasins, Plains Indian Hide with Beadwork Detail
By Arapaho Indian Art
Located in Denver, CO
This exceptional pair of antique Arapaho moccasins dates to circa 1880, offering a rare and authentic example of 19th-century Plains Indian craftsmanship. Hand-sewn from native-tanne...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Hide, Glass, Beads

You May Also Like

19th Century Sioux Beaded Moccasins
By Sioux Indian Art
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Sioux fully beaded moccasins. Red, white and blue with geometric stacked colors. Hard soles, cotton cuff edging. Period: Late 19th Century Origin: Gr...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Hide, Beads

19th Century Sioux Beaded Moccasins
By Sioux Indian Art
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Sioux fully beaded moccasins. Red, yellow and blue on white background. Soft soled brain tanned hide. PERIOD: Late 19th Century ORIGIN: Great Plains ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Hide, Beads

19th Century, Sioux Beaded High-Top Moccasins
By Sioux Indian Art
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
This is an outstanding set of authentic original beaded hide high-top / high-top moccasins with hard parfleche soles from the Sioux Native American Indians dating to circa 1880. The set shows stiff Indian tanned hide moccasins with hard parfleche rawhide soles and the tops being covered in period correct 1800’s glass trade seed beads that are sinew sewn in a traditional Buffalo track geometric pattern. The moccasins have a red ocher mineral pigment paint and are completely sinew rawhide sewn. The moccasins have sewn on high top / high-top leggings done in Indian tanned hide which is very stiff and has a sewn-on section at the top of Indian tanned Buffalo Bison hide...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Hide, Beads

Impressive 1870s Arapaho/Sioux Beaded Hide Dress
By Arapaho Indian Art
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Faceted Beads; Arapaho/Sioux dress on brain-tanned buffalo. Simple four color design; was probably the first dress made after quilling. Stars on dress, and...
Category

Antique 1870s American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Hide

Sioux Native Dragonfly Beaded Moccasins
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Sioux moccasins with dragonflies. Fully beaded, including soles. Period: circa 1880. Origin: Sioux, Plains Size: 9 3/4" x 3 3/4". Family Owned & Operated Cisco’s Gallery deals in...
Category

Antique 1880s American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Beads

Authentic Native American Beaded Sioux Moccasins
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Stunning Sioux moccasins, beaded, primarily in blue and white, with flag motif and horse hair tuffs on tabs. Period: circa 1880 Origin: Sioux, Plains...
Category

Antique 1880s American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Beads

Recently Viewed

View All