Bedouin, A Sheik's Daughter, from Types of Nationalities (N240) issued by Kinney Bros. 1890

This chromolithograph, "Bedouin, A Sheik's Daughter," was part of a series of collectible cards issued by Kinney Bros. Tobacco Company. It reflects the late 19th century's fascination with exotic cultures, packaged and sold alongside consumer goods. The image, produced in the United States, presents a romanticized view of Bedouin culture. Consider the visual codes: the woman's jewelry, the sword she holds, and her regal bearing, all contribute to an image of noble otherness. But the very act of mass-producing this image raises questions about cultural appropriation and the commodification of identity. We must ask: How did the social and economic structures of the Gilded Age shape the production and consumption of such images? What role did these cards play in constructing popular understandings of faraway cultures? Such questions require us to look beyond the image itself and delve into the archives of commerce, popular culture, and the history of colonialism. By doing so, we can better understand the complex interplay between art, society, and the construction of identity.