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:
The figure represents the moon as
a powerful spirit of the sky.
The crane's head and other objects attached to
the face of the shield relate to Rotten Belly's
war medicine.
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The owner of the shield:
One of the most famous of all shields was the
shield which belonged to
Rotten Belly, headchief of the River Crow,
decorated with a black human figure.
He was as much renowned for his bravery in war.
When a revenge expedition against the Cheyenne
was contemplated, Rotten Belly was implored to
lead the large Crow war party. He rolled his
shield from a high pile of buffalo hides,
promising that if the painted side fell next to
the ground when the shield stopped rolling he
would not proceed against the enemy, but if the
painted side was up he would lead the expedition.
The painted side was turned upward when the
rolling shield stopped and Rotten Belly led his
people to a great victory over the Cheyenne.
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Used materials:
Willow hoop
Rawhide
Horsehair
Beads
Hawk bells
Imitation eagle feathers
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The original shield
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Museum:
National Museum of
the American Indian
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