Shield- Buffalo Rawhide

Buffalo Rawhide Shield

This Buffalo‑rawhide shield still has areas of original buffalo hair. The crafter shaped the 15 inch rawhide on a form, creating smooth, rounded edges. A 2.75″ quilled medicine wheel decorates the front.  The crafter attached two 10″ long old turkey feathers to the quilled medicine wheel.  They added an 18″ long horse-hair drop to the bottom.  Two antiqued hawk bells hang above the horse‑hair drop, adding subtle metallic sound.  This shield combines authentic materials, strong form, and dynamic elements to create a powerful display piece for any collection.

One of a Kind.

Rawhide shields have a long history across the Plains, where makers shaped thick buffalo or elk rawhide into resilient defensive forms. Crafters soaked and stretched the rawhide over a wooden frame or form, allowing it to dry into a rigid, lightweight surface capable of deflecting blows and absorbing impact. Many shields carried painted designs, quillwork, feathers, or symbolic elements that expressed identity, spiritual protection, or personal achievement. Because rawhide offers both strength and portability, these shields served not only as practical equipment but also as powerful cultural objects. Surviving examples highlight the skill, artistry, and meaning invested in their creation, making them significant pieces in historical and contemporary collections.

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