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Eskimo Inuit Seal Caribou Mukluk Moccasins 19th C.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 400.00 USD
Eskimo Inuit Seal Caribou Mukluk Moccasins 19th C.
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For your consideration is this early authentic pair of Eskimo Inuit full-size Mukluks dating to the 19th Century. Mukluks are also known as kamiks, Eskimo boots, or moccasins. This is one of the best well preserved circa 1890- Inuit moccasins we have offered for sale. Mukluks are a soft, supple knee-high boots traditionally made of sealskin, caribou or reindeer skin and worn by the indigenous peoples of the Artic including the Inuit, Aleut and Yupik tribes. The name Mukluk is derived from the Yupik word 'maklak', meaning "bearded seal", in reference to the bearded seal skin used to make the soles of the boots. This set shows a very high quality of construction with a geometric top border of alternating seal and caribou triangle hides along with a trade clothe top border which contains a tie. The base shows the hard parfleche hard soles which have the traditional manufacture. The set also shows the original supple condition caribou leather ties around the ankle and incredibly good condition caribou fur which is soft. Overall the set has a nice patina on the bases and well-preserved museum condition. Provenance: From the private family collection of Sarah Alling of Helena, Montana. The family collection of Sarah Alling, a 5th Generation Montanan, began in the 19th Century and has grown since. Along with being an avid collector herself, Sarah co-founded with Bruce VanLandingham Sundog Fine Art of Bozeman, Montana which was both part museum and gallery. Each measures overall 11” L soles that are 4.25” W and the ankle is 9.5”H.