This is a stunning colorful book in large format (12 x 15 in.) which includes 45 historic Indian horse masks from museums and private collections. Most date from the 19th century. Scores of other masks are illustrated by 18th and 19th century indian paintings and drawings on rock, leather, cloth and paper, and by historic photographs. The symbolism and history of masks is thoroughly discussed and annotated. There is an extensive bibliography and index. Painting the face or body of a man or a horse is also a kind of masking. Therefore, a chapter on Cheyenne horse painting and its meaning and usage is also part of this volume., written by Winfield Coleman. In their new volume, American Indian Horse Masks, co-written by Mike Cowdrey, Ned and Jody Martin have turned their attention to the exquisite horse gear used by the early Native American horsemen-- specifically accoutrements for the head of a horse. An interesting aspect of the book is that its subject matter, horse masks, started out as a single chapter, but the authors' research turned up what was to be a treasure of information and examples of these rarely seen and somewhat mysterious pieces of horse gear. Used decoratively on horses, horse masks were at one time seen on the mounts of Plains and Plateau warriors who used them ceremoniously in battle up until the introduction of firearms shortly after 1800. Most of the masks have never been shown together, and the Martins have tirelessly brought front and center items still in use and from private collections and museums around the world. This lavishly illustrated and superbly researched book makes an authoritative, yet gorgeous addition to anyone's Western gear library. --Cowboys and Indians Magazine Dec. 2006 In 2007 the George Wittenborn Memorial Book Award was given to the authors and publisher of American Indian Horse Masks. This prestigious award is presented annually to publications demonstrating excellence in art publishing. Each year, eligible titles are evaluated for excellence in standards of content, documentation, layout, and format. From all submissions, one exemplary publication is chosen to receive this award. --Art Libraries Society of North America Mike Cowdrey is an Indian scholar who has written Arrow's Elk Society Ledger: A Southern Cheyenne Record of the 1870s. Ned and Jody Martin have documented the history and regional styles of cowboy bit and spur makers in five previous books. Ned is a professional photographer and collector of Indian horse gear. Jody has a Masters Degree from the University of California and has published several articles as well as written the Martin's previous books. Winfield Coleman has a B.A. in Anthropology from Cornell, did graduate work at Harvard, and earned an M.A. in painting from NYU. He has published numerous articles on American Indian culture, and illustrated museum catalogs and ethnographic books.