Native American Drum Tourist Souvenir Vintage FLA Seminole Indian Trading Post
Measures 6" across by 3.5" high
Hand painted with tags
Tag 1 reads:
Thunderbird Trading Post
Across from the Indian Reservation
Indian Skins - Moccasins
Box 896 Dania FL
Hand written tag 2 reads:
Seminole Indian Tom Tom made in Fla by Buffalo Tiger
Up for sale is a rare, highly collectible piece of mid-century Florida roadside history and Indigenous material culture. This double-sided, hand-painted tourist toy tom-tom drum features complete, intact provenance documentation that elevates it far beyond generic novelty souvenirs.
PROVENANCE & HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
The Maker: The original hand-tied paper tag explicitly notes this piece was "made in Fla. by Buffalo Tiger" Buffalo Tiger (1920–2015) was a monumental figure in Florida history, later leading the movement to secure federal recognition for the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida in 1962, where he served as their historic first tribal chairman.
The Trading Post: The drum features a crisp, bright yellow ink stamp for the Thunderbird Trading Post (Box 896, Dania, Florida) Located directly across from the reservation on U.S. Route 1, this famous roadside attraction and "Chimp Farm" operated from 1941 until its closure in 1958, firmly dating this piece to the post-war era (c. late 1940s to early 1950s).
Tribal Labeling: While Buffalo Tiger was culturally Miccosukee, early craftsmen labeled their work as "Seminole" on commercial tags during this era to match the broad terms recognized by tourists at the time.
ARTWORK & DETAILS:
Side A: Features a vibrant, beautifully preserved profile portrait of an Indigenous Chief donning an elaborate, multi-colored feathered headdress set against an orange ground.
Side B: Features a uniquely whimsical, mid-century graphic design depicting a stylized sun face wearing sunglasses.
Construction: Hand-stretched rawhide or heavy hide heads secured to a deep circular frame using authentic V-shaped rawhide tension lacing.
CONDITION REPORT:
This drum is in Excellent Vintage Condition as shown. The painted graphics on both sides are bright and bold. There are tiny white dots on the Chief side - see photos.
Perfect addition for collectors of Florida Kitsch, Roadside Americana, or mid-century Native American tribal artifacts!
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