Sauk leggings

[Jim Hart]

Excellant pair from the new Sotheby's auction catalog.



Jim Hart

[Robert Braun]

Very interesting post.

Any more information on the provenance of these leggings? Dates? Owners? How made?

Thanks...

Bob.

[trodgers]

Interesting Picture!
There was a pair of leggings included in an art exhibit called "Art of the Red Earth People" constructed very similar to these. ( I think they were made of red wool, but the pattern was the same)
I commented once to the Mesquaki Tribal Historian once about the unusual flare at the foot and the tabs on the side (or is it a center-seam)
His comment was that the foot part is centerseam style and the leg part twists outward and is held by garters so the tabs hang off the side of the leg. I told him that was the crazyest thing I had ever seen (as far as leggings go). His comment was something like, "yep."

I think the leggings from the exhibit were 1860s or 70's. I was always tempted to make my own on this pattern but the later date was a real problem.
I've never seen a reproduction on a reenactor of this style.
There is a real shortage of good information on Mesquaki and Sauk leggings prior to 1840. The Catlin paintings of Keokuk are a good example. Nice pose but not enough detail to make any solid conclusions.

Tom Rodgers

[Jim Hart]

Actually this style does date to much earlier in the 19th century. Catlin collected a pair of the same style but the bottom half is fringed. Charles Hamilton Smith painted an identical pair to that sometime in 1815 or 1816. There is also the C.B. King painting of a Mesquaki wearing a red wool pair of the same style. Norm Feder in his article on front flap leggings says that this style was most likely started by the Sauk. Also check out the Easterly daguerreotypes, although done in the 1840's the marterial culture has not changed a bit. This is most likely the cut of legging Catlin was painting, since they are obviously not side flap or center seams. I have included a pic of a Sauk wearing them so you can see how they look whilst being worn.


Jim Hart

[trodgers]

Jim,
Thanks a million for posting that picture. That is the best historical shot I've seen of someone wearing that style. It always seems like the blanket gets in the way so you can't really tell where the tabs are. Wow! thanks again.

Tom Rodgers

[keith25]

Sauk leggings! Loved them and thanks dear sharing it here. I am going to start working out and was looking for stylish pattern leggings and found a wonderful collection online. Placed order for two pairs and waiting for mesh and pattern tights delivery now.