Cigar Store Indian c. 1936

Elmer G. Anderson’s *Cigar Store Indian*, a watercolor on paper, is a design for a full-sized, three-dimensional cigar store Indian. This design was created in 1936, towards the end of the popularity of these figures, which were often found outside shops in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The piece shows a detailed depiction of a Native American woman standing with her right arm raised, wearing a headdress, and a traditional, draped garment. This watercolor is a significant example of the artistic style and cultural influence of the cigar store Indian figure.