VTG Seminole Native American Indian Handmade 5-Band Miccosukee Patchwork Skirt

Description

Vintage Exceptional Vintage 5-Band Handmade Seminole Miccosukee Patchwork Full Length Skirt
Previously owned. In exceptional condition. We had the skirt professionally cleaned.
Previously owned, lightly worn and in exceptional overall condition. After close inspections, we found a couple of very minor flaws (please see photo #8 and #9) that is all but indiscernible when the skirt is on the mannequin. We had the skirt professionally cleaned. There is a small stain (please see photo #10 on the inside of the waistband that was not removed by the professional cleaning. This stain will be hidden from view when the skirt is worn. Please review all photos carefully to evaluate the condition of this patchwork skirt.
From a multi-million dollar estate. After an extensive Internet search for "Seminole patchwork skirts" images, this skirt, in our opinion, is the equal of the very finest in quality, detail and intricacy. Please compare this skirt to the beautiful 3-row patchwork skirt sold by the Seminole Nation Museum (photo #12). This is a heavy, vintage "stomp dance" skirt with 4 bands composed of a total of approximately 36 rickracks*, and a central band consisting of 12 large diamond-shaped patchwork patterns, each with a border of 4 rickracks. Each of these diamond patterns is made of many individual tiny pieces. Please check photo #5 of the inside of the skirt, which best shows the complexity and intricacy of the workmanship of one of the diamonds. The top half of the skirt has a blue background, and the bottom half has a black background.
We invite you to find and read a National Public Radio (NPR) article on the Internet entitled "Seminole Patchwork. Admiration and Appropriation" (
eBay will not permit us to provide the URL
). An archival photo from this article of Seminole women wearing patchwork skirts is included in the photos. This article is about major designers and clothing chains that appropriated this artform, without crediting and recognizing the Seminole women who were its creators.
The fabric for Seminole patchwork skirts is commonly cotton or cotton blend. As is customary, this skirt does not have a tag. This is a very substantial garment that, with proper care and storage, could very possibly be handed down through generations.
The skirt has been professionally cleaned. The receipt from the cleaners will be included. The skirt was removed from the bag from the cleaners only for close inspection, and for the purpose of taking measurements and photos.
Length, top of waistband to hem: 36"
Elastic waistband (will expand fit most sizes): 13"
* From Wikipedia:
Rickrack is a flat piece of braided trim, shaped like a zigzag. It is used as a decorative element in clothes or curtains. Before the prevalence of sewing machines and overlockers, rickrack was used to provide a finished edge to fabric, and its popularity was in part due to its sturdiness and ability to stand up to harsh washing conditions.
Excerpted from an online article titled "Seminole Clothing", by the Seminole Tribe of Florida
:
Shortly before 1920, a new decorative technique was developed by Seminole women - the now famous patchwork. Early designs were blocks or bars of alternating color or often a sawtooth design. These bands of designs were sewn directly into the body of the garment, forming an integral part of it. Patchwork was rapidly adopted as a way to further embellish the already colorful clothing. As time went on, the designs became more and more intricate as the seamstresses became more adroit at their new skill. Often, the designs used on women's skirts today are extremely complicated. When patchwork was examined, people often exclaim over the complexity and ask, "Do the Seminole women sew each little piece together?" There's no denying that a great deal of time is required to make a patchwork garment. However, the making of patchwork is a systematic process which allows the work to proceed much faster than might be assumed. The invention and utilization of patchwork took place at approximately the same time that many Seminoles began finding employment in tourist attractions. At these attractions, Seminole women enjoyed freedom from some of their daily tasks which were routine in their Everglades camps. They were also encouraged to be actively involved in making arts and crafts items for the tourists to see and purchase. This created a commercial market for patchwork items. Today, Seminole women have been making their unique patchwork for over sixty years. Several generations of mothers have passed this treasured technique to their daughters.
Shipped USPS Priority Mail