19th C. Native American Textile Dance Shield

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Ancient & Ethnographic Art Through The Ages

By Artemis Gallery

Sep 16, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-09-16 10:00:00 2021-09-16 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient & Ethnographic Art Through The Ages https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-art-through-the-ages-7473
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• Lot Description
  Native American, Southwestern United States, Arapaho, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. An intriguing ceremonial shield made of a cardboard disc covered with textiles with additional felt fabric suspended from the top. The frontside is covered with a tightly stretched white cloth canvas, painted with tribal motifs that include an eagle or thunderbird facing left, red stars, and a stylized representation of a storm. The lightening is represented by the yellow arrows, the clouds are multi-colored semicircular shapes, and the rain is shown as vertical lines. The lightning storm symbol is associated with renewal and change and often used in conjunction with the thunderbird motif. Two red felt panels with yellow stitches are attached to the top of the disc and hang down and frame the painting. The verso is covered with a striped panel of cloth, with a cloth strip riveted to the disc acting as a handle. Ceremonial shields are used in dances to imbue power or spiritual protection to the dancer for warfare or healing. Size: 12.25" Diameter (31.1 cm)
  
  Before European contact, the shields were made with stiff rawhide and/or hand-woven cloth with ornaments of feathers or other symbolic materials. These shields were ritualistic items that were used by many Plains and southwestern tribes. The shield was carried while dancing, and the animals or symbols would imbue the dancer with power and healing. While this shield contains many individual powerful symbols, together they appear to create a person’s face; the thunderbird's wings serve as the eyes and its tail as the nose; the thunderclouds as a mouth - all framed by red felt hair. Whether intentional or just face pareidolia, this is an interesting combination of ancient symbols with alternative materials.
  
  Provenance: private Glorieta, New Mexico, USA collection
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
  
  Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
  
  #163244

  Condition

  Fading and discoloration of fiber with small stains. Losses and fraying to frontside of panel along lower periphery.
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