Mohawk Beadwork Boot Pincushions Victorian Era Niagara Falls Souvenirs

Here are some lovely vintage Iroquois Mohawk and Tuscarora Niagara Falls souvenir beadwork boot pincushions from the later Victorian era, most likely late 1890s-1910.The Iroquois have been making beadwork souvenir whimsys since the early 1800's and pincushions have been their most commonly used form. Starting in the 1870's they began making these boot-shaped pincushions for the tourist trade near Niagara Falls, where “the buyers came to the beaders.” Each pincushion is offered individually. All show various signs of their 100 year-plus age with some threadbare fabric, light staining, and minor punctures, but are intact with no apparent bead loss. See the photos.   


CURRENTLY AVAILABLE: Please state choice of Boot 1,2, or 3 at checkout. 

(Shipping will be combined on multiple orders.)


BOOT #1: Mohawk Blue velvet face with multiple layer of ivory tone cut-glass beaded flowers and leaves. Double row bead binding, looped dangles, red chintz backing, top pocket, and sawdust stuffing.  7 1/2" tall. 

BOOT #2: Mohawk Red velvet face with layers of multi-colored cut-glass beaded flowers and leaves. Double row bead binding, looped dangles, khaki chintz backing, top pocket, and sawdust stuffing.  6" tall.

BOOT #3: SORRY, SOLD OUT 

BOOT #4: SORRY, SOLD OUT

BOOT #5: Mohawk Ivory/Celadon twill face with understated ivory tone multi-layered cut-glass bead floral motif. Velvet hanger, dangles, but no pocket, khaki chintz backing, sawdust stuffing.  6" tall. 


Per fellow seller Skarooreh, a Turscaroran, on discerning the subtle difference between Mohawk and Tuscarora beadwork: "The Mohawk pincushions are from Kahnawake, a First Nation community in Quebec near Montreal. These old Mohawk boots have larger beads (size 8/0 or 6/0) and lengthy sets of fringe made of broken beads. Tuscarora beadwork uses smaller beads, size 10/0 or 11/0, and has a delicate fringe. Also most Tuscarora boots have bias tape around the outside perimeter where as Mohawk boots are whipped stitched with beads around the outside perimeter."Pincushions from this era were made in two basic styles: flowers filled with tubular beads laying flat in rows, and raised flowers with beaded loops hanging from them.  The elementary form was comprised of a fabric front with a stitched and beaded binding covering the edges. Velvet was the favored material for the front of pincushions, but silk, twill, and velveteen are often used. A shiny stiff material variously referred to as oilcloth, cambric, polished cotton, or chintz commonly covered the pincushion backs. Often there were decorative tubular glass bead loops hanging from the pincushion. The majority of pincushions were stuffed with sawdust: It is said that sewers’ husbands brought home sawdust from their jobs in sawmills. These pincushions  are prime examples of work from this era.  


MOHAWK PIN CUSHIONS


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