Cigar Store Indian by Frank Gallagher (4 Foot)
	Quantity in Basket: None Code: AT-2299IND Price: $760.00
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Every one is a unique one of a kind hand carved and finished Cigar Store Indian. A beautiful piece of western art and history by Frank Gallagher (great, great grandson of one of the best carvers ever to live). "Wood Carvings" were first created 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 tabacco products. Frank Gallaghers' 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 Gallagher's continue the art of carving as their ancestor would want it; the old way - the right way - by hand. Aspen wood from Colorado is the preferred raw material for the creations of the Gallaghers'. A copy of Arizona Highways magazine will accompany each sculpture with a two page story highlighting the Gallagher family. Size: Approximately 48" tall including 10-1/2" wide base. Please allow 2-4 weeks. Choose Elk (left above) or Doe BuckSkin (right above). Shipping rates vary and are estimated during web checkout.