Pair of sealskin slippers
Made by Eskimo Pels, Narsaq, South Greenland,
AD 2001
Today, modern store-bought clothing has largely
replaced the traditional, home-made skin clothing in Greenland. In
recent years however, modern sealskin products have gained in
popularity again, and a number of commercial skin sewing workshops
are catering to the increasing
demand.
Eskimo Pels,
situated in Narsaq, South Greenland, is one of the first and
largest of these workshops. Established in 1966, Eskimo Pels is a
shareholder business specializing in the sewing of sealskin
products. Their collection includes various articles of clothing
such as furs, mittens and slippers, as well as a range of smaller
items like pencil cases or bags. One or two new products are
introduced every
year.
These slippers are
among the most popular products of Eskimo Pels. They are made of
ringed seal skin, which is bought from Great Greenland, a tannery
in Qaqortoq (South Greenland) specializing in sealskin. The
material for the calf skin soles and the lining of coyote fur are
imported from wholesalers in Denmark and
Canada.
Other Views:
Employees of Eskimo Pels modelling furs made at Eskimo Pels.
Narsaq, June 2001.
At Eskimo Pels, almost all
sewing is done with sewing machines.