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An Early 20th Century Cigar Store Indian, Carved Wood With Polychrome Decoration
About the Item
A 20th Century wood carved male figure, a 'Cigar Store Indian' with original polychrome decoration.
A now controversial subject, but none the less charming rendition, of a native North American man originally probably used as an advertising figure. Wonderful quality of carving capturing the stance of the man looking out to the distance, hair flowing to his back and plait to the side, all the details of his costume, his native dress and hairpipe breastplate (suggesting he is possibly a Comanche) and chest ornament, apron, trousers, mocassins, shield and arrows. The original Polychrome decoration has weathered beautifully as has the wood itself to present a sculpture that would adorn any collection or interior.
Because of the general illiteracy of the populace, early store owners used descriptive emblems or figures to advertise their shops' wares. American Indians and tobacco had always been associated because American Indians introduced tobacco to Europeans. As early as the 17th century, European tobacconists used figures of American Indians to advertise their shops.
Because European carvers had never seen a Native American, these early cigar-store "Indians" looked more like Africans with feathered headdresses and other fanciful, exotic features. These carvings were called "Black Boys" or "Virginians" in the trade. Eventually, the European cigar-store figure began to take on a more "authentic" yet highly stylized native visage, and by the time the smoke-shop figure arrived in the Americas in the late 18th century, it had become thoroughly "Indian."
According to an 1890 article in the New York Times:
It appears that the first man to introduce carved figures as tobacconists' signs was a certain Chichester. They were carved by one Tom Millard. This was about forty years ago. John Cromwell, Nick Collins, Thomas V. Brooks, and Thomas White are also prominent figures in the early history of the art.... Most of the men in the business originally carved figureheads for ships. But with the decay of American shipping they lost their occupation.... [S.A.] Robb himself brought a good artistic training to the workshop, for he studied at the Academy of Design for a number of years.
The Times article describes traditional fabrication techniques as follows. The wood was typically white pine, bought as logs at spar yards. The artist first blocked out a very rough outline by axe, guided by paper patterns. A hole was then bored into each end of the log, about 5 inches in depth, and a bolt placed into each. The log was then suspended from these bolts on supports so it could freely turn. The sculptor then used chisels, followed by finer carving tools, to create the finished figure. Arms and hands were created separately, then screwed into the body. The last steps were to paint it, and set it up upon a stand.
- Dimensions:Height: 37.01 in (94 cm)Width: 13.78 in (35 cm)Depth: 11.82 in (30 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- After:Samuel Robb (American)
- Period:
- Condition:Fair overall condition commensurate with age. The statue has been kept outside and this accounts for the weathering and extensive splitting (see photos), if kept in a more stable interior environment there should be no ongoing condition problems.
- Gallery Location:Cotignac, FR
- Reference Number:
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- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Cotignac, France
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
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