Jigsaw puzzle, 'People of the World: Red Indians'

This 35-piece jigsaw puzzle was produced by Holdson in the 1950s. It is one of a series depicting 'People of the World'. The puzzle is a cartoon image of a Native American man and Native American woman standing in front of a tipi painted with images of buffalo. A jar and basket are on the ground between the two figures. The man wears a feathered headdress, fringed shirt, trousers, moccasins, and neck adornment. He is carrying a bow and has a quiver of arrows on his back. His right arm is raised in greeting. The woman has her hair in two braids. She is wearing a patterned, tasseled cloak, long patterned shirt, trousers and moccasins.

Mass produced toys like this puzzle are important because they reveal the attitudes and stereotypes that were prevalent at the time they were created. Commercial products are produced with marketability in mind, and therefore have to appeal to dominant narratives. This often leads to depictions of people or groups, in this case Native Americans, which reinforce stereotypes and romanticising views. At the same time, these objects also worked to diminish the viewpoints, experiences and histories of the people or groups depicted.