A previous conservation blog (April 18, 2021) discussed cleaning beadwork and infilling holes in the textile components on a pair of Tlingit moccasins. These Innu moccasins are also part of the next loan to the National Gallery of Canada (NGC). The damage on this particular pair was more significant: both collars were missing. Replacing them […]
From the Vault: The New Kamiks
Take a peek into our 14,000+ collection with our blog series, From the Vault! Every other week, we’re sharing interesting stories about one of our artefacts. What is the provenance of this pair? When did they enter the BSM collection? This work on paper titled The New Kamiks by Mayoreak Ashoona was acquired by the […]
The Beauty of Beads
By Elizabeth Semmelhack, Senior Curator Small, luminous and colourful, beads have been used to decorate footwear around the world for centuries. Historically beads have been crafted from a wide variety of natural sources such as pearls but even in ancient times some of the most desirable beads were made of glass. From the very beginning […]
Caring for Your Vintage Shoes
People frequently ask for advice on how to care for their vintage shoes at home. As a conservator, I’m reluctant to make recommendations sight unseen. Footwear is made of so many different materials and suggesting a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution is impossible. Conditions can vary greatly which informs how best to care for them. Leather can exhibit […]
From the Vault: Mules from Malaaca
Take a peek into our 14,000+ collection with our blog series, From the Vault! Every other week, we’re sharing interesting stories about one of our artefacts. What is the provenance of this pair? When did they enter the BSM collection? This pair of mules was acquired by the museum from Christie’s in London in 1998. […]
Footwear and the Pandemic
We have been living with the COVID-19 pandemic for over a year, and much has been written about its impact on global fashions. For those of us who study this field, these past 15 months have offered an amazing opportunity to examine how consumer habits have changed when it comes to footwear, and to start […]