Woman's Moccasins

The rarely seen imagery on this pair of porcupine-quilled women's moccasins depicts Double Woman, the supernatural culture heroine believed to inspire Lakota women in the creation of their arts. Among the Oglala Lakota, it is recorded that Double Woman is associated with the origin of porcupine quillwork, and, because of this, quilling is considered sacred in traditional culture. This mystical being guided women by appearing in their dreams and revealing designs that were considered sacred by association. In oral tradition, Double Woman is usually described as one of twin sisters who are joined together by a cord, and in ceremonies she is embodied by two women considered especially blessed, who hold the ends of a rope from which hangs a ball or doll.