Chris Calle: Snuff Shop Figurines

Artist: Chris Calle
1961 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1985
Image Size: 17 by 11.5 inches
Overall Size: 24 by 16.25 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Hot Press Illustration Board

The practice of using wood carved figures for advertising in America can be traced back to England. One of the most common examples of this practice was the Scottish Highlander, "Highland Laddie," and the Snuff Highlander figures which English wood craftsmen first carved for English tobacco shops. These figures soon became symbols for snuff shops and tobacconists throughout colonial America. Most figures were intricately detailed and carved at life-size or slightly larger. Typically, The Highlander would stand in the doorway of the snuff shop with its one hand extended offering a pinch of snuff to the passerby, while holding his snuff pouch in the other hand. The Highlander was always carved dressed in a tartan kilt, colorful bonnet, and a sporran fur -- the traditional pouch worn at the waist by Scot Highlanders. This artwork features a Snuff Highlander appropriately dressed in a brown jacket with gold epaulets and a sporran with an animal's head. An 1822 Copenhagen snuff poster and a small, early nineteenth century snuff shop counter figurine from the bogeyman & Brother Company of Pittsburgh are featured in the background. Gradually, as the United States won its independence, and settlers moved westward, the Highlander was replaced by a more distinctively American image -- the Cigar Store Indian.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the U.S. 22¢ Snuff Shop Figurines stamp issued October 1, 1986.

Artwork Copyright © 1985 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB10082

US$ Price: $1,700.00

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