Moccasin Leggings

Pair of moccasin trousers or leggings collected among the Tlingit but likely of Athapaskan make. Made from large sections of animal hide sewn together along the inside of the leg with soles and a back panel attached. Dyed porcupine quills are used to ornament a strip from the top of the thigh to the ankle, then around the ankle. Quills are dyed white, purple, blue, and orange and are arranged in rows of three with alternating colors around the leg. Quills are arranged in triangles around the ankle and the quilled bands form an open triangle where the leg ornamentation meets the ankle ornamentation. Each knee is wrapped with a beaded band in white and blue beads sewn on a red backing. The designs on the knee bands are of an interlocking step pattern. Hide fringe at the ends of the bands are positioned at the front of the knee. Holes are made along the front and back of the waist.