Beautiful carved wood mermaid. She has a spiraling tail and holds a bundle of arrows ready to be cast down to the passer-by. Her other hand remains empty although once may have held a spear. Intended to be hung out side of a shop thus viewed from below. A crest and the year 1877 carved on her under side. Includes hanging chain. Measures apprx 14-1/2"H x 27"L.
The 19th Century town sidewalk was a tremendous advertising forum. Collectively these figures are often called "Cigar Store Indians," although the figures that do not represent Native Americans and those which did not stand outside cigar stores are equally interesting. These exotic figures attempted to lure passers-by in from the pavement. Most of these carvers of these types of statues originally made ship figureheads.
2,000/4,000
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