[Tom]

Mens clothing and clothing items have several unique iitems to them that womens clothing does not.

One of these items is leg and arm garters, the leg garters are worn above the knee and the arm garters are worn either above or below the contours of the muscle.

The materials vary and the “oldest” that I have seen images of were made of black hide or leather and have had a great deal of attention drawn to them; both arm and leg garters, different styles abound and decorations can be complex.

The last and only garters that I had seen worn are from the Northern Cree of Alberta, (probably because I don’t get out much), anyway they were made of black velvet and had a floral pattern done in quillwork, they dated from 1920’s or so.

The earliest that I have seen mention was from the colonial era or before and were made of buffalo hair and porcupine quills, collected in Va. and Nc. I believe.

Something to consider.

[collins]

Tom, I was curious about the porcupine quills for this clothing item. Regarding the garters collected in VA and N.C. from the colonial era do you think the quills came from VA or N.C.?

I am curious to know if the porcupine ranged in the Virginia and Carolina areas.

Also the picture of Mr. Bradby of the Pamunkey in Native regalia; is it possible that this style or pattern was utilized by the Saponi?

[Tom]

Well there is records of early people from NC and Va having quilled objects but the quills may have come in as a trade item from the north. I have heard of a quilled Seminole knife case but have not seen it, the problem is, is that bird quills were also used.

I have not seen the image that you have mentioned but would like to.

There are several good books out there on quillwork I’d say about 6 and I have seen a map in one of them for the renge of the north american porcupine aswell. I hope that this helps.

[Author]

Posts