Boots
Salmon skin, cotton cloth, leather, pigment
H: 22.1-22.5; L: 21-21.5; W: 9.5 cm
Gift of the Faith-dorian and Martin Wright family, New York, to American Friends of the Israel Museum
Accession number:
B98.0787(a-b)
Arts/Americas
These delicate women’s boots are made of three different materials: the upper part is of fish skin and cotton cloth, while the sole and bottom portion are of tanned leather. The complex, multicolored decoration is composed of symmetrical bands and interlocking spirals that often conceal animal faces. This use of bilateral symmetry and split design was common in Amur decoration. The same elements can also be found in the cultures of the American Northwest Coast, for example, in the Tlingit ceremonial dance wand on view in this gallery.
