Plains Painted Hide Shield

hide, mineral pigments.

Ralph Olsen, Chicago
George Terasaki, New York City
George Shaw, Aspen CO
Hugh and Gay Eaton Collection, Aspen CO, acquired from the above

Aspen Art Museum, Art of Grace and Passion, Aspen CO, 1999

American Indian Art Magazine, Autumn 1978, vol. 3, no. 4, p. 1, illustrated
Shaw, 1999, p. 21, illustrated

Very good overall condition, wear consistent with age and use including small holes on the hide cover on the inner most section of the "rainbow." There are two 1in. separations of the hide cover at the periphery, at approximately 12 and 10 o'clock as illustrated in the catalogue; they are stable. There is abrasion, minor loss of pigments overall. We have not removed the cover to inspect the buffalo core.
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.

Depicting an old black bear with worn claws reaching towards an eclipsed sun, and a rainbow against a streaked blue sky, this shield reflects a highly personal vision. The emotional and visual impact of the image is undeniable but, as an outsider, we can only presume to understand what the maker intended.

There are myths amongst the Pawnee that relate to bears reaching their paws towards the sun to draw power (Ewing, 1986, p.53). Hunts To Die, a Mountain Crow, described a paradigm involving an old, therefore wise, black bear with “claws worn down to his toes,” that provided him war protection (Curtis, 1909, p. 201). The source of visionary art is so profoundly personal, often coming to the maker in dreams, that its meaning is unknowable to everyone but the maker. It captures, however, a feeling, a moment, or a purpose that is beyond words.

Reference: Dyck, American Indian Art Magazine, vol. 1, no.1, 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."

p. 37

"The number of shields surviving today is small in comparison to the existing number of relics from the Plains culture...The Plains shield exemplifies the finest artistic achievement of the American Indian culture."