Abyssinian Soldier, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This lithograph of an Abyssinian Soldier was produced by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as a promotional card. The soldier is depicted with spear and shield, classic symbols of military prowess, and a bow. The bow, seemingly secondary to the spear, reveals a fascinating journey through cultural memory. The bow is a symbol of the hunt and warfare. It evokes images of the archaic hunter, of Artemis, or even the Cupid figure and his arrows. It can appear, then disappear, then resurface. The association of the bow with hunting may also tap into our primal instincts, a subconscious recognition of our dependence on the natural world. As we contemplate this image, let us remember that symbols have multiple dimensions. They echo through time, accumulating layers of meaning, transforming yet remaining, at their core, tethered to our most basic human experiences.