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Transferring The Medicine Shield By Howard Terpning

By Howard Terpning

Transferring the Medicine Shield by Howard Terpning.

The shield was considered a medicine object among the Blackfeet people and was treated with the same great care and reverence as other medicine bundles. If the shield were to be transferred to another, it had to be exchanged in a formal ritual.

As Howard Terpning explains the ceremony, first a smudge would be made inside the tepee. The shield would be passed through the sacred smoke four times, four being considered a magical number by Plains Indians. The recipient of the shield was painted with yellow earth over the face and hands, the face would then be streaked by drawing the fingertips downward. A red transverse band was painted across the mouth. Four drums were beaten and special songs were sung. The seller then took up the shield and dodged about, pretending to avoid blows or arrow strikes, as in a fight. At the end of the ceremony, the recipient paid the former owner with a horse.

Western Artist Howard Terpning’s Transferring the Medicine Shield was chosen to become an anniversary edition fine art canvas because it is a masterpiece in the study of Native American rituals. It is a story of the harmony of the Plains People with their environment; of color and design; and of an artist with his subject. Be one of the few to own one of the finest works from one the greatest artists to ever paint the American West.

Transferring the Medicine Shield by Howard Terpning was published in November of 2016 and is available for sale signed and numbered limited edition giclee canvas with a large 45 x 30 vertical image size priced at $1,450 unframed.

Extra Large Canvas - Transferring the Medicine Shield is also available as an extra large 58 x 38 vertical image size signed and numbered limited edition giclee canvas priced at $2,950 unframed.

We are a full service custom frame shop and can build a design to meet any style or budget. Order yours today. All artwork is professionally boxed and insured and guaranteed to arrive in mint condition. All artwork has been hand signed by the artist.

If your interested in framing please send us an email to discuss the options. If you type the name FRAME on the search box above you can browse through some examples of our materials and designs. A painting with some first people, Blackfoot American Indians religious ceremony painted in high end western artwork on sale painted by Howard Terpning.

Types Dimensions Edition Size Price Cart
Signed And Numbered Limited Edition Paper Print 35-1/8 x 23 Image Size 850 Please Inquire Click to Inquire
Signed And Numbered Limited Edition Giclee Canvas 45 x 30 Image Size 85 $1,450.00

Extra Large Signed And Numbered Limited Edition Giclee Canvas Print 58 x 38 Image Size 45 $2,950.00

To Order Call:
763-494-8888

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