Superb George Washington Folk Art Bust

Circa 1920s: Measuring 11"H x 7"W x 5.75"D, the superbly carved bust of George Washington with original polychromatic paint decoration most certainly relates to wooden trade figures produced for America's tobacco stores in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Because of Virginia's long history in the tobacco trade and the tobacco industry's use of iconic American figures to advertise their products, we believe this bust of Washington, our most revered Virginian, with its eye catching paint and its whimsical form, was most likely made to be a countertop figure in a tobacco shop. Whatever its purpose, however, this bust of our first President stands on its own as a very fine example of patriotic and political folk art. Condition is excellent with some typical bumps and bruises and tight age cracking that does not affect the bust structurally or visually but verify the object's 100-year-old age. Ex Allen Katz Americana