FIG. 4 (below): Pair of woman’s boots decorated with volutes. Nivkh or Nanai, Amur River basin, far-eastern Siberia, Russian Federation. Second half of the 19th century. Humpback and Pacifi c salmon skin, Amur River carp skin, Sakhalin taimen skin. Musée du Quai Branly, Paris. Restoration made possible through the support of Cercle Lévi-Strauss of the Société des Amis du Musée du Quai Branly. © MQB. Photo: Claude Germain. Lightweight, tough, waterproof, and non-slip, these boots are true works of art. The refi nement of the craftsman’s remarkable skill can be seen in the artistry of the appliqué and in the dialog between the natural hues of the selected skins. The dull brown to honey tones and protruding scales of taimen skin contrast with the fi ne texture and smooth skin of the carp. Fine sky-blue decoration adorns the tops. 66 FIGS. 5a (full view) and b (detail): Woman’s feast coat. Nivkh, Sakhalin Island, far-eastern Siberia, Russian Federation. Second half of the 19th century. Humpback and Pacifi c salmon skin, Amur River carp skin, leather. Musée du Quai Branly, Paris. © MQB. Photo: Claude Germain. This is a superb coat of bleached carp skin, fi ne as silk and decorated with a “double skin” of protective scales embroidered in shades of yellow and blue. The striped pattern at the hem seals the limits of the garment and serves to ward off evil spirits. ART on view
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