Cigar Store Indian 1935 - 1942

"Cigar Store Indian" is a watercolor on paper painting created by an anonymous artist between 1935 and 1942. The painting depicts a Native American man in traditional garb, standing on a stack of boxes and holding a cigar. This type of artwork, known as a "cigar store Indian," was a popular form of advertising in the 19th and early 20th centuries. These figures, often carved from wood, were placed outside tobacco shops to attract customers. The painting is a testament to the history of advertising and the lasting cultural impact of cigar store Indians, which are still considered iconic symbols of Americana today.