Dazzling Spendor

A Perplexity puzzle made by Margaret (Mrs. Hayden) Richardson, New York, NY, 1909c.; solid wood, non-interlocking, cut along color lines. Depictions of scantily attired Caucasian women dressed up as native Americans and posed in outdoor scenes was a popular form of calendar art and pinups back in the first half of the 20th century. Since the pictures have no authenticity with respect to native American life, I do not collect them, but could not pass up this magnificent scene by unknown artist, cut by one of the leading makers of that era. Note the characteristic style of Mrs. Richardson: elongated pieces that seem to "build" one on top of another. Puzzle was originally sold through Brentano's in New York City.