Zither, from the Musical Instruments series (N82) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph, created by W. Duke, Sons & Co., depicts a woman playing a zither. The image was produced in 1888 as part of a series promoting Duke brand cigarettes. The woman's traditional attire and the zither suggest a connection to German or Austrian folk music. The design, with its detailed figures and bright colors, was typical of the late 19th century, the era of cigarette cards. This piece from the "Musical Instruments" series exemplifies the use of artistic imagery in commercial advertising.