Made and painted by John Groeneveld ( Non-Native
American ).
The meaning and owner of the
shield, see below.
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The meaning of the shield:
Designs painted with the sacred
Cheyenne colors offered protection from the
enemy's weapons. The designs on this shield are
similar to the shields used by Low
Forehead, an almost mythical shieldmaker
among the Southern Cheyenne.
The eagle feathers on the wool trade cloth red
represent honors, won through bravery on the
battlefield.
The buffalo is considered by many tribes as a
symbol of abundance.
Its meat fed the people, skin was used for
clothing.
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The owner and maker of the
shield:
Low Forehead lived long ago when
all the Cheyenne people were in the north.
He received his shield designs through dreams or
visions.
There were several other shield makers who bought
the right to make copies of Low Forehead's shield
designs. They were Two Thighs (or Two Buttes),
Running Slow, and Red Wolf. Two Thighs and
Running Slow were both killed in the Sand Creek
Massacre of 1864.
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Used materials:
Willow hoop
Rawhide
Wool trade cloth red
Beaded rosette ( cross motif )
Imitation eagle feathers
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The original shield
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Museum:
Denver Art Museum
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Click on images
for larger view
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