Antique Snowshoe Sconce Set

Antique Snowshoe Sconce Set
New 20th century with c. 1900 Snowshoes
Wood, Metal
36.5"h x 10.25"w x 9"d 
© Vintage Winter

An absolutely wonderful addition to your home, the snowshoe sconce set features antique Native American made snowshoes made into usable sconces. Featuring UL certified parts, and the finest raw hide shades ever created. Comes standard with outlet plug or can be wired for permanent installation. A wonderful addition to your winter chalet.

It is thought that the use of decorative pom poms originated for both spiritual and hunting tactics. The hunter would carefully dress the snowshoes with pom poms made from fur of the primarily hunted species. So if they mainly hunted caribou, the pom poms were typically made from caribou fur. Simple logic in hopes to deter the human smell if the hunter became up wind. On the spiritual side, some aboriginal hunters believed they needed to please the animal spirits to have a successful hunt. To do this they would decorate their snowshoes with pom poms, paint and geometric designs woven directly into the hide lacing.

Tribal tradition also played a role in the color of pom poms with different colors referring to differing tribes or regions. For instance Cree Indian snowshoes are primarily red in color.

All Vintage Winter Originals are crafted by hand, one at a time in small quantities with quality hardwoods to ensure durability and functionality that endures the test of time.