A Sioux Ledger Drawing Skunk c. 1885 graphite and colored pencil on lined paper This is a portrayal of the protagonist counting coup on a fleeing enemy woman, probably a Crow woman. Counting coup, the act of touching, but not killing, a foe was an act that brought great honor to a Plains warrior. This warrior was, no doubt, emboldened by the spirit helper depicted on his shield. It is a horned figure, perhaps an ancient buffalo creature of the era when animals ruled and could talk like humans, framed in red, a favorite color of the spirit beings. Exhibited: North by Southwest, The Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science, Tallahassee, FL, 2010 Dimensions: 12 ¼ x 8 inches; 19 ½ x 15 ½ inches (framed) HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved