Comanche War Shield

Quanah Parker Burgess

Traditional Comanche War Shield, hand made by Comanche artist Quanah Parker Burgess. Rawhide stretched over wood frame.

This fine shield is elaborately painted and illustrates a war chief on his painted pony, wearing a double trailer war bonnet and carrying a lance and shield. The outside of the shield is decorated with pony tracks and a full, or "Comanche Moon."

This is a great and very unusual piece of Native American art honoring the most powerful Indian Tribe in American history, The Lords of The Plains.

Artist Bio

Quanah was Born in Lawton, Oklahoma where he lived on and off in his childhood. He is from the Quahada(Antelopes) and Penateka(Wasps) Band of Comanches. He is named after his Great, great Grandfather, The last War Chief Quanah Parker. Although, he always returned home he also lived in Arizona, Montana, and graduated high school in Santa Fe, New Mexico which he also considers home. His Family moved around a lot while his parents pursued jobs and education, giving young Quanah a chance to broaden his views while living on several different Indian Reservations and experiencing many types of cultures.

He is a 4th generation artists and has been painting professionally since 1996 selling his first paintings at the World Olympics in Atlanta, GA. Instead of pursuing his own Art degree, he chose to dive in head first and start painting and studying his own heritage and tribal history. Quanah gives much credit to his fellow Comanche artists before him of whom he studied their techniques by, simply looking at their work and figuring out how they created such beauty! His parents also have been inspiring and supportive of both Quanah and his older brother Nocona who is also a successful artists in New Mexico. His Father Ronald “Tachaco” Burgess, Ph.D. is also an artist and his mother LaNora Parker has dedicated her life to counseling and working with the Native Youth. On his mother’s side, Quanah’s Kiowa descendants (Oncos) were known as the “Calendar Keepers“ who recorded history with the “ledger style” of painting on hides and ledgers. He currently shows his work in galleries and Art Markets all over the country. He feels that meeting different people and sharing his art enriches his life as much as creating the art itself! “ I don’t regret not earning a degree, I’ve learned all the tools mostly hands-on and that can’t be learned in college.” Although the short amount of formal training has contributed to the artist he is today. “I’ve had some great art teachers and some not so great. But those who taught and encouraged me will never be forgotten!”

“ My art is about the beauty of my culture. It’s powerful and has a soul! I give all the credit to the one and only Master, Our Creator! “ - Quanah Parker Burgess