THE THOMPSON INDIANS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA. TEIT, JAMES MEMOIRS, 2, 1900

Six-sided, lozenge-shaped wooden shield with pointed ends and a raised rib down the centre. Curvilinear painted designs in black, red and brown. Wooden handle attached at back. Dark brown tie on handle.

Large, old, wooden shield, re-painted with an image of a character called "Phantom Man" over most of the front surface. The superhero’s torso is depicted, clothed in a tight purple head cover and shirt that emphasizes his musculature. A blue, black and white belt sits at his waist. Hands and face are white and he wears large black framed, grey lensed glasses. Behind him, the surface of the shield is painted orange through which can be seen decorative perforations in circular and linear designs. "PHANTOM" is written in large red letters across the top of the shield, and above this are vine strips and a few feathers tied around the top edge. The reverse side of the shield is unpainted and has a loop of braided vine attached at the centre, with another attached in two places on the left side. Image colours are orange, purple, red, white, black and blue.

The object, a dance shield, is one of a pair commissioned by Culin for the Museum. The difference between the two is that this shield has a painted pale blue sun with light red stars and the other (03.325.3504) has a pale red sun with light blue stars.

The object, a dance shield, is one of a pair commissioned by Culin for the Museum. The difference between the two is that this shield has a painted, pale red sun with light blue stars and the other (03.325.3505) has a pale blue sun with light red stars.

Brooklyn Museum Collection

Rod armor.