AboutRichard Sutton Expertise As a direct reservation trader in all aspects of American Indian arts since 1985, I've answered questions regarding cultural property issues, origins of traditional crafts, materials and techniques, collecting, authenticity, symbols and, of course, repairs!
Experience My primary focus is on Southwester American Indian Nations and their people, but I also have experience in Plains and Northeastern traditions, having engaged in active trade and retail since 1985 and study for most of my life.
Publications I was a guest on Fox Network "Lifestyles" program, during the 1990s, to discuss how to tell forgeries, and authenticating jewelry as Native American work. I have also written extensively for our website, www.kivatrading.com and our Ebay Store.
Expert: Richard Sutton Date: 3/30/2008 Subject: antique native american mocassins
Question I have recently acquired a pair of what look to be very old child/baby Indian moccasins. They are white with a string of tiny beads around the ankle of the moccasin as well as a diamond shape beaded design (about 1" long and 1/2") wide on the space above the toe area. The colors on the beaded diamond are royal blue, yellow and green. The moccasin is about 4" long. Can you tell me how old and what tribe these moccasins are from? Thank you!!
Answer They sound really beautiful, but sight unseen, I couldn't hazard a guess. Even able to spend a bit of time checking them out, since moccasins have been very popular as baby shoes in American mainstream culture since the early 1900s, and have been manufactured extensively as well as handmade, it can be very hard to even distinguish if they are authentic, American Indian made, or a hand-made or manufactured copy.
MY suggestion would be to find an established dealer in American Indian arts in your area and take your moccasins to them to appraise. A good resource for finding an ethical dealer is to look over the membership of the Indian Arts & Crafts Association website at www.iaca.org/
