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White Buffalo Gallery - Shields
Warriors sought images of power and strength through periods of solitude, fasting, and self-mutilation. If successful, these periods led to visions, or dreams. Once a vision was obtained, it would be related to a holy man, who would translate the experience and explain how it should be displayed on an object. He would also define the uses and limits of this power and the proper rituals necessary for its maintenance.
As shields were considered sacred objects and were believed to bring good luck, they were preserved by tribes, even after the use of firearms became common. These shields were hung on poles to the East of a warrior's lodge, as a charm to ward off danger. When a warior died, his shield was buried with him, for it would be needed in the after-life. The only exceptions were shields that were given to young braves while the original owner was still alive.
| All Shields are... |
| Approximately 17 to 19 inches in diameter |
| Indian Tanned Deer hide stretched over a willow hoop, or heat-shrunk rawhide |
| Painted with natural earth pigments |
| Hand-painted Eagle and Hawk feathers |
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BLACKFOOT MEDICINE SHIELD ($550) The warrior who owned this shield dreamed the Buffalo was his personal protector. The feathers represented the strength and power of the Golden Eagle. |
CROW BEAR SHIELD ($375) The scene on this cover depicts an angry Bear being shot by bullets as it charges from its den toward its attackers. According to the shield's owner, Big Bear, the green represents the earth and the red represents the sky. |
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CUSTOM SHIELD ($550) The powers of the Bear and the Raven are combined for the design of this shield, which might have been owned by a Medicine man. The Bear is represented for its wisdom and knowledge of healing. The Raven was a messenger to the Indians, thus the warrior was foretold of troubles ahead. |
MANDAN TURTLE SHIELD ($400) The Mandan warrior who owned this shield dreamed the Turtle, with its defensive shell, should be his personal symbol of protection. |
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CROW SHIELD ($350) A warrior named Shavings originally owned this shield. It portrays a group of stars in the dawn sky. The darkness of night is represented by a claw-like figure above the black line, while dawn is represented by the lower red area. Shavings believed the two Eagle feathers would make him swift. |
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