Name/Title
Cigar Store IndianEntry/Object ID
1987.01.1928aDescription
The cigar store Indian, or wooden Indian, is an advertisement figure, in the likeness of a Native American, used to represent tobacconists. The figures are often several feet tall – up to life-sized. Because of the general illiteracy of the populace during the early 19th century, store owners used descriptive emblems or figures to advertise their shops’ wares. For example, barber poles advertised barber shops, show globes advertised apothecaries and three gold balls represented pawn shops. Native American Indians and tobacco had always been associated with one another because it was the Native Americans who introduced tobacco to Europeans. As early as the 17th century, European tobacconists used figures of Native American Indians to advertise their shops.
This classic cigar store Indian probably greeted turn-of-the-century customers at a Key West tobacco shop.Collection
Cigar CollectionMade/Created
Date made
circa 1860 - circa 1900Time Period
19th CenturyLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
StatueNomenclature Primary Object Term
SculptureNomenclature Class
ArtNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsDimensions
Height
70 inWidth
20 inDepth
25 inCondition
Reason for Exam
InventoryOverall Condition
FairReason for Exam
InventoryOverall Condition
Fair