Vanessa Jennings
Kiowa
1990
Leather, paint, ermine
1996.27.0747
On View
Arthur and Shifra Silberman Collection
This shield is modeled after the shield carrier by Tenbatai before 1875. Shields were used for protection and as personal identifiers. The designs seen on shields were sometimes acquired through dreams or visions, giving the holder supernatural protection. In other instances, the design could be associated with a specific secret warrior or medicine society. They could also be taken and used publicly as war trophies.
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