Perique Tobacco Cutter
c. 1937
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paper
Dimensions
overall: 44.7 x 37 cm (17 5/8 x 14 9/16 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.15146
Art Historical Context
Behold the *Perique Tobacco Cutter*, vibrant 1937 watercolor, graphite, and pen-and-ink rendering by artist Al Curry, measuring 17⅝ × 14⁹⁄₁₆ inches. This meticulous depiction captures a specialized wooden tool from Louisiana's unique Perique tobacco industry—a rare, fermented tobacco prized for its rich, spicy flavor and used in premium pipe blends. The cutter's sturdy blade and ergonomic handle evoke the hands-on craftsmanship of early 20th-century folk traditions in St. James Parish, where Perique production remains a closely guarded art. Created for the Index of American Design (IAD), a Fe...
About the Artist
Al Curry
**Al Curry** (American, active c. 1935) was a skilled draftsman whose precise renderings captured the essence of American folk art and vernacular craftsmanship during the Great Depression era. Little is known about his early life or formal training, as biographical details remain sparsely documented. Curry gained prominence through his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art P...