This artwork on a hide depicts a profile of the Cherokee Chief Red Bird who lived in Clay County, Kentucky, at the heart of the Cherokee territory. The artwork shows Red Bird in a feathered war bonnet looking pensively out at what could only be assumed to be a battle near at hand. The lower left corner has a small cactus and bison skull with the right having "Chief/Red Bird" next to a small bird in a circle. The work is signed "Topperwein/1932" below Red Bird's war bonnet. An inverted number "57" is cut into the top of the hide. The piece is housed in a wooden frame measuring 37x37 inches. Adolph Toepperwein, Americanized to Topperwein as seen on this work, was a famous American Exhibition shooter and along with his wife was part of The Fabulous Toepperweins. Before his days in exhibition shooting, Adolph was a cartoonist for The San Antonio Express. He met his wife and show partner when he was touring the Winchester factory after beginning what would be a 50 year association between the two. The two would travel the United States and Mexico performing shooting stunts such as making pictures by shooting .22 rifles at metal plates. Toepperwein first made shooting history at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair after shooting 19,999 of 20,000 hand thrown wood blocks over three days. Adolph retired from the road in 1951 but continued giving free shooting lessons. He passed away in 1962, and the next year the San Antonio Gun Club began hosting their annual Toepperwein Memorial Skeet Shoot.

Very fine with a clear image and vivid coloration. There is a small hole towards the center at the top of the hide and a few small tears at the edge where it was once held taught. This is your chance to own a rare piece of art created by one of history's greatest shooters!