Comanche Painted Hide Shield and Cover

composed of fire-hardened buffalo hide, painted in red, yellow and blue pigments, with a buffalo face flanked by radiating zigzag bands, perhaps a reference to lightning, surmounted by concentric bands, tied with a pair of circular hide pendants and pouches, and three turkey feather attachments (replaced); together with a finely tanned, fringed elk hide cover, of drawstring construction, painted in red and yellow, with a Spanish-style cross enclosed by a series of triangles.

The core is in very good original condition with typical wear. Some abrasion, a native "patch" on the reverse. The cover is faded and shows wear and age. There are two repaired areas that are likely restored. An avadavat is available for the identification of the feathers.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

For a discussion of Plains Indian shields, see Dyck, "American Indian Art Magazine," Vol. 1, No. 1, 1975, pp. 34-41: "To the Plains Indian the shield was a personal flag, a testimonial to his own religious experience - a vision sought by every young warrior upon reaching manhood. The shield's magic, in reality, the medicine power, protected its owner who was a believer in this power against all the encounters which filled his life both in war and peacetime. Some early recorders mention shields being abandoned by their owners on the battlefield. This concept is implausible as the Plains warrior carried a shield more for its magic power and less for its practical value.

p. 37

The number of shields surviving today is small in comparison to the existing number of relics from the Plains culture. Most of the buffalo shields were buried with their owners; some were captured by the soldiers during the Indian wars; a few were passed on to the descendants of old warriors...The Plains shield exemplifies the finest artistic achievement of the American Indian culture."

This lot is accompanied with written analytical reports on this shield by Barton Wirght and Ron McCoy, Ph.D.