A carved tobacconist figure of the actor Edwin Forrest (1806-1872) in his role as Metamora from "King of the Wampanoags," circa 1860

With traces of paint, base inscribed, “Metamora.”

H. 84 in. (overall)

Provenance

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harry G. Haskell, 1979
Property sold on behalf of the Brandywine Museum of Art to benefit future acquisitions and care of collections.

Footnotes

The figure and costume is derived from the lithograph, “E. Forrest as Metamora,” published about 1855 by Nathaniel Currier (1813-1888). The famous Philadelphia-born actor is shown in his most famous theatrical role, first played in 1829, and revived throughout his life. “Metamora: or King of the Wampanoags” was written for Forrest by John Augustus Stone (1800-1834). Set in 17th-century New England, the play tells the story of the heroic and tragic figure of Metamora and the eventual defeat of his Wampanaogs by the Puritans.