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Southern Cheyenne Turtle Clan War Shield 19th C.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Southern Cheyenne Turtle Clan War Shield 19th C.
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The lot features a Southern Cheyenne attributed War Shield that dates to the late 19th Century. The shield is crafted with Great American Bison Buffalo hide that was wetted and stretched over a bent wood frame. The war shield or warrior’s shield shows old polychrome mineral pigment painted symbols and stylized turtle shell along the center. The piece is possibly from a Turtle Clan or Turtle Society. The shield also shows various drops accenting the front including blue ocher dyed thin buckskin fringe, old trade clothe calico strips and turkey / pheasant feathers tied to the center. The original or early arm straps are still attached to the rear of the shield, a fine addition. Having such additions of feathers and trade clothe adorning the front of Cheyenne war shields has been previously documented on other authentic examples. The symbolism between the Buffalo god and Turtle is ambiguous but may be tied to the Cheyenne turtle clan that roamed the South Platte river area, where this shield is said to originate. The painted symbols are pigmented blue, green, black, and yellow. The shield is in fine museum quality condition for its age of circa 1870-1880. The shield measures 19.5" in diameter.