Buffalo rawhide shield
British Museum
London, United Kingdom
Shields such as this were constructed from rawhide taken from the thick neck region of the buffalo. They could deflect arrows and even balls fired from a muzzle-loading flintlock gun.
They were decorated by the owner with designs of spiritual significance to bring them success and protection. They would act as protection in war and during horse raiding. The design, perhaps representing the sun and moon, would have been come to the owner in a vision.
This shield has a soft skin cover in which it would have been stored. This is painted with the war exploits of the owner.
This shield may be the example recorded as collected by Duke Paul Württemberg in September 1823 from a Pawnee chief identified as Schakè-ru-leshar.
- Title: Buffalo rawhide shield
- Physical Dimensions: Diameter: 58.00cm
- External Link: British Museum collection online
- Registration number: Am.5202.a
- Place: Found/Acquired North America
- Peoples: Made by Pawnee. Made by Plains Peoples. Made by Cree. Made by Northeast Peoples
- Other information: Cultural rights may apply.
- Material: leather
- Copyright: Photo: © Trustees of the British Museum
- Acquisition: Donated by Franks, Augustus Wollaston. Previous owner/ex-collection Umlauff, Johann Friedrich Gustav. Collected by W
Get the app
Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more
