Montana Map & American Buffalo Skull
Pen & Ink on Antique Map
Sphinx Mountain Saddlery
https://www.sphinxmountainsaddlery.com
 
The American Buffalo is the most revered animal to the Plains Indian. The Native Americans People of the plains were spiritually and physically interconnected with the American Buffalo. Tatanka provided abundance in the form of food, clothing, medicine, tools and shelter. This is why the animal was honored in songs, dances, and prayers.
 
The American Buffalo skull was used for sacred ceremonies, serving as channels for prayers. Skulls were also placed outside of lodges, offering information about the dwellers inside as well as protecting them.
 
The American Buffalo skull stands as a reminder of this great animal, which gives completely of itself for others. It is a symbol of self-sacrifice; it gives until there is nothing left. It is considered powerful talismans, providing protection and good luck to the owner. The American Buffalo symbolizes strength, abundance, freedom, gentleness, gratitude and helpfulness. Its enormous head reflects its higher mental ability that it keeps grounded by remaining connected to mother earth.
 
I have combined antique maps with my version of stippling into my own creative perspectives. The background for this drawing of an American Buffalo Skull is on a map of Montana, published in 1890 in a Mast, Crowell & Kirkpatrick Atlas. It measures 11 X 14 inches and is framed with patinaed copper to a 16 X 20.