Cigar Store Indian Chief Carved Wooden Indian by Frank Gallagher 6 feet tall.

You've seen them at Trading Post, you've seen them at souvenir shops, now you have the opportunity to own your own "Cigar Store Wooden Indian". Carved by the same family that carved the very first one for a man that owned Gallaghers Furniture Store, back in the 1800's. A truly unique conversation piece, for home, office or store front. Own a piece of American heritage, a Frank Gallagher original sculpture. This wooden Indian is an exceptional example of Frank's work. He carved it from a single large piece of Aspen wood from Colorado and hand painted it with a dashing off white doe skin leather color. This Cigar Store Indian was hand carved by Frank Gallagher and signed on the back.

The inspiration for Indian Wood Carvings came after Native Americans introduced English settlers to tobacco in Virginia during the 1600s. Later, merchants put the sculptures outside their stores to show customers that they sold tobacco products. The image of the Native American became a tradition for these carvings and memorializes the cooperation between some Natives and the colonists.

Frank Gallagher's ancestor, one of the first wooden Indian carvers, started carving his Indians in the 1840's. His great, great grandson Frank is known to be one of approximately 12 true full-blooded Man-Dan Indians still living. Unfortunately, the Man-Dan village was infected by small pox which practically wiped out the entire tribe. Frank's ancestor however, was away from the village at the time, working for a furniture maker. The furniture maker's name was Samuel Gallagher. Following the custom of Indian laborers of that era, Frank took his employer's last name as his own. One of the original Wooden Indians are on display in the Smithsonian Institute. The Gallaghers continue the art of carving as their ancestor would want it; the old way - the right way - by hand. A copy of Arizona Highways magazine with a two page story highlighting the Gallagher family will accompany each sculpture.

---

Details:

6 feet tall and the base is 14-1/2" x 14-1/2".

Signed F. Gallagher on back of headdress.

Shipping for this item is $125.00.

On this item please allow 2 weeks for processing and 7-10 days for delivery. Thank you.