APACHE PICTOGRAPHS AND SYMBOLS

MS 4604
MS Short Title APACHE PICTOGRAPHS AND SYMBOLS
Text APACHE PICTOGRAPHS AND SYMBOLS, POSSIBLY ANTHROPOMORPHIC OR COSMOLOGICAL, OR RELATING TO GAAN OR MOUNTAIN SPIRITS
Description MS in Apache language on skin, Southern Plains, U.S.A., 19th c., 1 shield, diam. 50 cm, decorated with a central celestial medallion with a crescent moon above and a pine tree below flanked by two cross-hatched bars with zigzag elements emanating from top, circular motifs with zigzags within, below, all in blue, red, yellow and black, with 2 yellow foot-formed tabs attached to the top.
Binding
Context
Provenance 1. Christie's East, New York, 20.6.2001:167.
Commentary In addition to the function as armour, the shield and its cover, combined with the painted symbols and attachments, exuded protective power for the bearer, resulted from dreams experienced by the warrior. Some of the Apache shields are reported to relate to Gaan, or Mountain Spirits, those generally benevolent beings largely associated with health and wellbeing.
Published
Exhibited
Mentioned
Boxing
Colophon
See also
Place of origin Southern Plains, USA
Dates 19c AD