Native American Chief Wooden Statue

This is a hand-carved and painted wooden statue depicting a Native American chief, likely a cigar store Indian or a similar decorative figure. The statue is substantial in size, appearing to be at least four to five feet tall given its height relative to the doorway and doorknob in the background. It is crafted from a single or multiple pieces of wood, indicated by its 'heavy' nature and the visible grain and carving marks. The figure is brightly painted with a multi-color palette including browns for skin tone, black and white for the feather headdress, yellow, green, red, and additional browns for the clothing and accessories. The chief wears a detailed feather headdress, painted in black and white, with a green and yellow striped headband. His attire includes what appears to be a green tunic or shirt with painted patterns, and tan or light brown trousers with red vertical stripes. He holds an object in his hands, which appears to be a bowl or offering vessel. The facial features are carved with moderate detail, showing a strong profile. The craftsmanship suggests a folk art style, not mass-produced, indicated by visible carving marks and possibly irregularities in the painted details. The base is a thick, round, dark brown cylindrical block of wood. A 'small crack in base on backside' is noted, indicating a minor condition issue. There are no visible maker's marks or signatures in the provided images. Given its style and commonality of such statues, it likely dates from the mid-20th century or later.

Explore similar items and categories: