Indian Sculptures |
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 | The first Indian sculptures to be seen and recognized by the general public, were actually carved wood, and none other than the famous “cigar store” Indians. Tobacco was as indigenous to North America as were its native peoples, and because they used tobacco in a variety of ceremonies and rites, the connection between them remained for literally hundreds of years.
But the connection existed long before one of Christopher Columbus’ diaries recorded how his men had seen Indians smoking “sticks”. Evidence of tobacco ceremonies in Indian culture exists as far back as the pre-Columbian period in 200B.C. when it was smoked in platform bowl pipes carved from soapstone, into character shapes of gods and animals. One such pipe, evidence of the continuity of the tradition, was uncovered in Oklahoma, and dated to 1200-1350A.D. It’s an Indian sculpture of its own, with a bowl that consists a brave seated on the ground, wearing an elaborate and highly detailed headdress as well as ear decorations.
By the first half of the 17th century, settlements in America were flourishing, as was the tobacco industry between the New World and the old. So prodigious was Virginia’s shipments of tobacco back home to England, that merchants there set out statues of Indians wearing a headdress and kilt of tobacco leaves, to signify that they sold tobacco. The Indian sculptures were not only advertising, but a necessity, since most users of tobacco were illiterate, and only knew a store sold it, by some outward visual sign. The figures were called “Virginies”, the Englishman’s mangled way of pronouncing “Indians”. By the 1800s, life-sized wooden sculptures stood outside stores in America as well, regardless of the fact that as the statues remained, the Native Indian was disappearing from their plains homes. However, in one of those rare strokes of fate, the cigar store Indian disappeared not long after, during the tobacco shortages of WWI.
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Tecumseh on Horse
- Historical memento
- Cold cast resin
- 10 inches tall
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Wapasha on Horse
- Native American figurine
- Made of cold cast resin
- 9.5 inches high
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Istaqa on Horse Indian Figurine
- Legendary figure
- Cold cast resin
- 8 inches tall
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Stands with Wolf Indian Figurine
- Native American figurine
- Made of cold cast resin
- 7 inches high
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Ahiga on Horse Indian Figurine
- Traditional figure
- Cold cast resin
- 7 inches high
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Sacred Journey Indian Figurine
- Spirit of the past
- Cold cast resin
- 7.5 inches tall
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Chatan with Eagle Indian Figurine
- Native American figure
- Cold cast resin
- 9.5 inches tall
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Winter Indian Figurine
- Detailed Native American Item
- 7 Inches x 12 Inches
- Made of Painted Resin
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Winter Indian Figurine
- Wonderful Native American Item
- 10 1/4 Inches x 7 Inches
- Made of Painted Resin
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Indian Warrior Figurine
- Stunning Detail
- 11 Inches Tall
- Handpainted Resin
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Chief Wanata Figurine
- Beautifully Crafted Figurine
- 10 1/2 Inches Tall
- Made of Handpainted Cold Cast Resin
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Samoset Indian Figurine
- 11 1/2 Inches Tall
- Handpainted Resin
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Shoshone Indian w Infant
- Lifelike Indian Figurine
- 6 Inches Tall
- Handpainted Resin
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Mohawk Indian In Canoe
- 12 1/4 Inches Long
- Handpainted Resin
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Iroquois Indian Figurine
- Lifelike Indian Bust
- 9 Inches Tall
- Handpainted Resin
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Fox Indian Warrior Figurine
- Stunning detail
- Handpainted resin
- 9.25 inches high
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Secotan Indian Luncheon
- Painted Resin
- 6 1/2 Inches Tall
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Hopi Indian Woman Figurine
- Lifelike Bust
- 7 Inches Tall
- Handpainted Resin
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Tlingit Indian Figurine
- Wonderfully Detailed
- Handpainted Resin
- 8 1/2 Inches Tall
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Seminole Indian Figurine
- Lifelike Recreation
- 10 1/4 Inches Tall
- Handpainted Resin
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Spirit Of Triumph Indian Figurine
- Lifelike Design
- 12 Inches Tall
- Painted Resin
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Huron Chief Figurine
- Beautifully Detailed
- Handpainted Resin
- 11 3/4 Inches Tall
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Indian Scout Figurine
- Lifelike Indian Figurine
- 12 Inches Tall
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Medicine Man Warrior
- 11 Inches Tall
- Handpainted Resin
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Vision Quest Indian Figurine
- Wonderfully Lifelike Figurine
- Handpainted Resin
- 14 Inches Tall
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Cherokee Eagle Indian Figurine
- Beautiful Indian Figurine
- 13 3/8 Inches Tall
- Hand painted Cold Cast Resin
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Painted Cow Skull with Clock
- Clock uses Batteries
- Painted Resin
- 13 3/4 Inches Tall
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Native American Peace Pipe
- Easy to Hang
- 15 Inches Long
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Native American Statue
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Indian Resin Figurine
- Beautiful Southwestern Decor
- 16 Inches Tall
- Painted Resin
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Indian Chief Figurine
- Wonderfully Detailed Figurine
- 11 Inches Tall
- Painted Resin
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Model Native American Canoe
- Painted Resin
- 4 3/4 Inches Long
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End of the Trail Wind Spinner
- Fascinating accent
- Made from steel
- 12 inches diameter
More End of the Trail...
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Native American Dream Catcher
- Feathers and Leather
- 34 Inches Long
More Indian Dream Catchers...
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Wicker Medicine Wheel
- Traditional Native American Item
- Alabastrite with Leather
- 27 1/2 Inches Tall
More Native American Medicine Wheels...
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Indian Sculptures
Fortunately for us, some of America’s most gifted sculptors took up the Indian as a theme, and from the 19th century came some amazing works, including the famous “End of the Trail” work of James Fraser, which won multiple international prizes for the impact it had in portraying the Indians’ fate. Frederic Remington’s bronze sculptures are another poignant reminder of a lost way of life.
Reproductions of these famous pieces, and more recent works by modern artists, mean that Indian sculptures can be a striking focal point for a room, or a quietly distinctive addition to your bookshelves or mantle. Because of the often intense expressions and exquisite detailing, a single sculpture is best left to stand on its own, so that nothing surrounding it detracts from the singular beauty of a figure, whether it is hand-carved wood, or bronze casting.
If you are doing a room in southwestern decor, an Indian sculpture on the coffee table, or a side table under a dream catcher, makes an exciting addition to a color scheme that utilizes earth tones, and the unique coloring of southwestern pottery vases and table lamps.
Wherever you place it, your Indian sculpture will not only speak of the past, but of your good taste in home decor. |
