Thursday 28 January 2010

Le calumet

Continuing the Plains theme after Tuesday's buffalo: both BSquared and Jacob have posted similar statues. Ha, Versailles has got one too, standing outside a restaurant that makes beef a speciality and is part of a France wide chain.
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Je continue le thème des Grandes Plaines, après le bison de mardi. BSquared de Fort Lauderdale et Jacob d'Ocala ont posté des moulages (à défaut de statue !) similaires. Il y en a une à Versailles aussi, devant un restaurant que les français reconnaîtront sans doute...

19 comments:

Woody said...

Great shot showing the intricate details and the range of colors!

akarui said...

Restaurant americain? je pense tout de suite hamburger... mais peut etre que leur specialite est le steak geant.

Three Rivers, Michigan said...

In the US such statues were used to advertise tobacco shops in the 1800s, and are called "Cigar-Store Indians". Often the "Indian" would have a handful of cigars in one hand. This statue is holding a traditional pipe in one hand and in the other, a man's bag used for carrying valuables - such as tobacco!

(He has travelled a long way from the Great Plains of North America to arrive in Versailles, he might be ready for a beef dinner!)

Lowell said...

This is absolutely fascinating. It is supposed to represent beef somehow? A native American statue in Versailles is not something one would expect to see!

Maybe it has some reference to the French and Indian War?

James said...

Very nice and now the buffalo makes more sense. :) Great color and the fallen leaves add a nice touch.

Bob Crowe said...

Does he have the proper visa to work in France? After my first semester at St. Louis University many years ago I told my friends back in New York that we still had the occasional Indian attack on the edges of the area. They believed me.

Olivier said...

aux USA, on trouve ça surtout devant les marchands de cigares, j'ai jamais compris pourquoi.....

Kim said...

Fun to see a North American icon in Versailles. . .certainly beats Ronald McDonald, eh? Calumet is the name of the baking powder I buy and features a clean stylized profile of an Indian in headdress on the can. This guy has a peace pipe and medicine bag, and porcupine quill vest. Seems very elaborate.

VP said...

He's looking at the sky, worried by the weather? I can beat this on local basis, no native Americans effiges here, but I'll try with a picture taken abroad.

Malyss said...

Suivre le thème des grandes plaines à Versailles, il fallait oser!!ÜMais visiblement, tu PEUX le faire!..Ici, on a le même restau, mais l'indien est à l'interieur..

Paulie said...

I was surprised to see a native American or Indian statue in France. It is very nice tho. Fits in nicely with the buffalo theme from before.

Cezar and Léia said...

It's very interesting however I would thank about the beef as I only eat white meat. :)
Léia

Suburban Girl said...

So glad he has made his way to France and gets to see the world a little.

Louis la Vache said...

As others have commented, this is a perfect tie-in with the buffalo!

BaysideLife said...

Nice colors. Does every restaurant in this chain have a statue like this? I'm curious about the name of the restaurant?

stromsjo said...

Good to see that Versailles is second to none in this respect as well! :)

paulboo said...

There is one in London too, outside a tobacconist shop (appropriately) in Covent Garden - it gets photographed too :o)

A l a i n said...

Un gardien de la paix

Chuck Pefley said...

But you'll have to admit it does seem odd to find a Native American dressed in traditional ceremonial garb standing on a street in France. Right?