The lot features a Sioux Native American Indian shield with a Ghost Dance polychrome painted pictorial front said to be owned and used by noted Sioux medicine woman, Grandma Holy Bear. The consignor noted from the information he received from the previous owner that she gave the shield to Joseph Ward around 1905 and Ward had it on display at the Yankton Indian College Museum in Yankton, South Dakota until the museum closed in 1985 and the contents were sold, the same year. It is said that the shield was used during the great Ghost Dance movement at the Pine Ridge Sioux Indian Reservation by Grandma Holy Bear. Reverend Joseph Ward also christened Grandma Holy Bear as an honorary nun or sister. She then closely worked with him for many years first at Pine Ridge, then later at the Yankton Sioux reservation. Ward founded the Yankton school, which was the first Indian college in the United States. The shield is made of skinned buffalo hide wetted and stretched over a bent wood frame. The original straps are still intact. The shield has a slight concave curve. The front has 5 sections of tossled buckskin hide tied on and old painted Sioux Ghost Dance symbols of the water bird in flight, circular moons and two four point morning stars. The shield measures 20 inches in diameter. The shield was once on display as part of a special exhibit at the Journey Museum in Rapid City back in the 1990's. Ex Ted and Lilly Jarvis collection, Wyoming. Please examine the piece in person or by proxy to determine your own opinion of condition, originality or age. For a complete representation of condition and for additional images please call 800-686-4216. It is the buyer۪s responsibility to view each image and preview the item to determine condition.