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Antique 1880s Arapaho Moccasins, Plains Indian Hide with Beadwork Detail
About the Item
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-tanned hide, these moccasins are adorned with intricate glass trade beadwork in vibrant shades of green, white, red, blue, and yellow.
The primary design motif features the symbolic Buffalo Track pattern, created to resemble the hoofprints of the American bison. In Arapaho culture, the buffalo is a sacred and powerful animal—central to the tribe’s spiritual beliefs and way of life. It provided not only food and clothing but also tools, shelter materials, and ceremonial meaning. Buffalo track beadwork honors this deep relationship, representing the Arapaho’s connection to the land and their dependence on the bison for survival.
In addition to the buffalo track design, these moccasins incorporate geometric triangular elements symbolizing tipis (teepees)—structures essential to the nomadic Plains lifestyle. Traditional Arapaho beadwork is known for its precise geometric arrangements, stylized natural forms, and symbolic motifs such as the morning star, thunderbird, sunburst, and buffalo—each conveying stories, beliefs, or elements of the natural world.
Each moccasin measures approximately 10¾ inches in length, 4 inches in width, and 4¼ inches in height. The size and visual impact of the design make them ideal for display in a private collection, gallery, or museum setting.
The Arapaho (Arapahoe), also known by their own name Hinono'eino or Inun-ina, meaning "our people," are an Indigenous tribe of the Great Plains. Historically, they inhabited the regions now known as Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Kansas, with some bands migrating into Montana and Oklahoma. Their homeland stretched across vast grasslands, river valleys, and rolling hills—terrain that shaped their migratory traditions and deeply spiritual culture.
These 19th-century moccasins stand as a beautifully preserved and meaningful expression of Native American artistry, rich with cultural symbolism and historical value.
- Creator:Arapaho Indian Art (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 4.25 in (10.8 cm)Width: 4 in (10.16 cm)Depth: 10.75 in (27.31 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Native American (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1880
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Moccasins are clean and in good vintage condition.
- Seller Location:Denver, CO
- Reference Number:Seller: DCP-248341stDibs: LU1004629129582
About the Seller
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