Shield

Datec. 1890

DimensionsOverall: 1/4 × 24 in. (0.6 × 61 cm)

Object numberT0109

Credit LineLoan from the Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw Charitable Trust

Photograph by John Bigelow Taylor, NYC

Label TextDefensive shields were common among the Pueblos and were often made of two layers of rawhide, stitched together around the rim. (c.f. Maurer 1977, fig.348) This example consists of a single sheet of buffalo rawhide about one-quarter of an inch thick and could have afforded protection against arrows, lances, even low caliber guns, but probably served primarily as a costume piece for dances and ceremonials. The shield has a hand loop on the back, and holes for the strap to hang it over the shoulders. Identification by tribe is difficult because Santa Ana, Hopi and Acoma all decorated shields with a broad band with celestial circles and stars. At Jemez the band was topped with colored horns, and at Zuni shields were painted with winged kachina figures. Larry Frank and Barton Wright have both identified this example as a Tesuque Pueblo shield. (From the Catalog of the Thaw Collection of American Indian Art, 2nd ed.)
ProvenanceGans, Santa Fe, New Mexico, ca.1975; Larry Frank, Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico
BibliographyTanner, Clara Lee. Southwest Indian Craft Arts. Tucson, Arizona: University of Arizona Press, 1968, p.180, fig.7.11 (Shown with a quill wrapped feather attachment [two feathers] now missing.)

Vincent, Gilbert et al. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2000, p.220.

Fognell, Eva and Alexander Brier Marr, eds. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection at the Fenimore Art Museum, 2nd ed. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2016, p. 246.

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