Cigar Store Indian c. 1937

Georgine E. Mason rendered this watercolor of a cigar store Indian, capturing a cultural artifact deeply embedded in commerce and representation. The original sculptures, typically carved from wood, stood as symbols of the tobacco trade, appropriating and often misrepresenting Indigenous cultures. Here, Mason’s choice of watercolor softens the original object's hard, carved form. You can see the texture and color of the original wooden sculpture in Mason's style. Note the painted details – the feathered headdress, the patterned clothing, the figure holding a handful of cigars – each element contributing to a narrative that intertwined commerce with cultural appropriation. The cigar store Indian reflects a complex intersection of labor, politics, and consumption. The sculptures were products of skilled carving, often employing immigrant artisans, yet they simultaneously perpetuated stereotypes. Mason's work invites us to reflect on the layers of making and meaning embedded within this contested symbol.