Pictorial Buffalo Robe

Probably painted in the Northern Missouri River area, this extraordinary pictorial buffalo hide painting likely depicts a battle scene featuring more than 50 human figures and 18 green, red, and black horses. The scenes are arranged in register across the "canvas" of the buffalo hide, above and below the central seam. The action ranges from warriors on horseback bearing circular shields, shooting arrows, and swinging clubs, to hand to hand combat and other skirmishes between enemies. There are at least three guns among the weapons pictured and one scalping scene. Such robes were worn wrapped lengthwise around the body, and the painted designs were visible in cold weather, when the fur was turned to the inside.