7" Souvenir plate 'John Smith Native American' The Jonroth Studios, Germany

Rare porcelain John Smith souvenir plate, 7 inch hand painted and put out by the Jonroth Studios in Germany.

Items like this souvenir plate were created from original photographs supplied to the manufacturer by a local group or company. Often their black and white image was then hand colored, as in this example. Souvenir china views were popular travel souvenirs between 1890 and the mid -1930's and today they offer us tiny windows on the past. John Smith was used by local photographers, notably including C.N. Christensen of Cass Lake, used him as a model for numerous stylized images of Ojibwe life, which were widely distributed as cabinet photos and postcards. In 1920, two years before his death, he appeared as the main feature in a motion picture exhibition that toured the United States, featuring aged Native Americans. Some believe he live till the age of 137.

Some wear to the gold around the plate's edge, otherwise very nice. No chips or cracks; seven inches in diameter. Back stamped "The Jonroth Hand Painted Studios" in red artist's palette and "Germany". Excellent idea for the historian or a resident of this area.

Please see photos and email with any questions prior to purchase. Thanks for looking.