NMAAHC Collections Search

Untitled with Handle

Basket

Created by: Jackson, Mary A., American, born 1945

Medium: sweetgrass, pine needles, palmetto fronds
Dimensions: H x W x D: 16 1/4 × 17 1/4 × 17 1/4 in. (41.3 × 43.8 × 43.8 cm)

Type: baskets

Place made: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1996

Description: A coiled sweetgrass basket made by Mary A. Jackson. The basket has a wide and shallow circular body with a tall central handle. The handle is composed of three coils that split to form four coils at each end sewn into the top of the basket at four points. The bottom of the basket is flat with sides that curve sharply at the outer edge to create the wide, shallow body. The basket is composed mostly of lighter-colored grasses, with a narrow band of darker pine needles around the wide top and another narrow band of pine needles around the narrow bottom center.

Topic: African American; American South; Art; Communities; Craftsmanship; Domestic life; Folklife

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Juliette Bethea in memory of Flora Wilson Bethea

Object number: 2017.82.13

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Visual Arts; Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Exhibition: Cultural Expressions
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 050

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Costume design drawing by Judy Dearing for Annie in Porgy and Bess

Created by: Dearing, Judy, American, 1940 - 1995

Medium: (a): graphite, watercolor, and pigment on paper;; (b): graphite and ink on paper, synthetic fiber, metal
Dimensions: H x W (a): 13 3/4 × 10 7/8 in. (34.9 × 27.6 cm); H x W x D (b): 5 13/16 × 3 1/2 × 1/2 in. (14.7 × 8.9 × 1.3 cm)

Type: design drawings

Date: 1995

Description: A costume design drawing by Judy Dearing for the character Annie in the musical Porgy and Bess. The drawing (a) is accompanied by a paper tag with an attached fabric swatch (b). The drawing depicts a woman standing with her left hand at her side and her right hand behind her waist. She wears a salmon colored hat with a short crown and a wide brim, with a pink and purple flower stuck into a white hatband. Her salmon colored drop-waist dress falls to her mid-calf, with a gray waistband and gray lace collar and cuffs. Her gray shoes have a short heel and a strap across the foot. She has on a beaded necklace and carries a gray handbag in her right hand. The woman and her clothing are outlined in graphite with watercolor and unidentified pigment shading. The stamp for the United Scenic Artists Local 829 is in black ink in the lower left facing corner, with Dearing's signature in black ink below the stamp. The reverse is blank.; A paper tag (b) with a salmon-colored fabric swatch stapled to it accompanies the sketch. Various notes are handwritten on the tag. The reverse is blank.

Topic: African American; Art; Costume; Costume design; Musical Theatre; Opera (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2014.128.5ab

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Wall hanging based on a design by Philip Simmons

Designed by: Thompson, Shelia
Subject of: Simmons, Philip, American, 1912 - 2009

Medium: powder coated carbon steel
Dimensions: H x W x D: 16 3/8 × 17 7/16 × 1/8 in. (41.6 × 44.3 × 0.3 cm)

Type: collectibles; works of art

Place made: Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America

Date: 2010

Description: Black metalwork representing a palm tree atop waves, which is the logo for Daniel Island, where renowned Charleston, South Carolina ironworker Philip Simmons was born. The central tree design is surrounded by a circle, which is enclosed by an open square. There are round holes in each of the four (4) corners, 1/2mm in diameter, for hanging hardware. There is no maker's mark.

Topic: African American; Architecture; Craftsmanship

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Dr. Deborah L. Mack

Object number: 2014.82.1

Restrictions & Rights: © Daniel Island Company. Permission required for use.

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Exhibition: Cultural Expressions
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 050

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Woodcarving of a slave trader with enslaved female figure

Created by: Unidentified

Medium: wood, glass, thread, cloth, paint, wool (hair), and bast fiber
Dimensions: Woodcarving: 24 × 18 9/16 × 8 1/2 in. (61 × 47.2 × 21.6 cm)

Type: carvings

Place purchased: Ghana, West Africa, Africa

Date: 19th century

Description: This object is a poly-chrome, three-dimensional, woodcarving depicting a male slave trader and a female slave standing on an elongated oval platform. Both figures are standing upright and facing the same direction with the male figure behind the female figure. The male figure is significantly larger than the female figure. He has short hair and is wearing a dark three-piece suit, belt with belt buckle, white collared shirt and a dark neck tie. There are two, small white objects in his left and right breast coat pockets. His proper right hand has a drilled hole through the fist. His proper left hand is slightly forward and he is holding a length of cord connected to the female figure. The cord ties her hands behind her back and wraps around her neck in a noose. The female figure is bald, wearing light colored earrings and is nude with the exception of a light colored breechcloth and four strings (two dark strings, two light strings) of glass beads around the waist. A piece of light cloth has been tied around the female figure’s upper torso.

Topic: African American; Africa; Art; Slavery; Trans Atlantic slave trade

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2014.122.1ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Moses Basket with Handle

Created by: Jackson, Mary A., American, born 1945

Medium: sweetgrass, bulrush, palmetto fronds
Dimensions: H x W x D: 23 1/4 × 18 1/2 × 18 1/2 in. (59 × 47 × 47 cm)

Type: baskets

Place made: Richland County, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America

Date: 2001

Description: A sweetgrass basket made by Mary A. Jackson. The large, oval shaped Moses style basket has curved edges and is shaped like a bassinet. Extending from the rim is a large central handle. The body of the basket is made from darker colored bulrush, contrasting with the lighter colored palmetto wrappings in a symmetrical pattern. The rim and handle are made from lighter colored sweetgrass.

Topic: African American; American South; Art; Communities; Craftsmanship; Domestic life; Folklife

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Juliette Bethea in memory of Flora Wilson Bethea

Object number: 2017.82.4

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Visual Arts; Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Watercolor costume sketch by Lemuel Ayers for the musical St. Louis Woman

Created by: Ayers, Lemuel, American, 1915 - 1955
Subject of: Bailey, Pearl, American, 1918 - 1990

Medium: watercolor, graphite and ink on paper with cloth and metal staples
Dimensions: H x W: 12 1/8 x 9 9/16 in. (30.8 x 24.3 cm)

Type: design drawings

Place used: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1945

Description: A watercolor sketch by Lemuel Ayers of a costume for the musical "St. Louis Woman", as performed in 1946. This costume is for the character "Butterfly" performed by Pearl Bailey. At the center of the sheet of paper is a light sketch in pencil painted over in watercolor of a woman wearing a patterned, light green dress with a pink bouse and green puff sleeves with dark green bows at the shoulders and cuffs, a bow with a long sash at the waist, a hat with a bow, and a veil. At the upper left hand corner, in ink, is handwritten [Sk # 73]. At the upper right hand corner of the paper is a drawing, not overpainted, showing the back view of the dress. Behind the figure of the woman are some lightly painted lines indicating a wall and floorboards. Stapled to the lower right hand corner of the paper is a small piece of paper with handwriting at the top, in ink: [Bailey Sk 73/ Butterfly]. Below this, four (4) swatches of pink, green, yellow and gray fabric are stapled and/or glued. Next to the swatches are notes, handwritten in ink, indicating where in the costume each fabric is used. Below the attached piece of paper, hand painted, is the text: [Butterfly./ Funeral]. At the bottom left corner, handwritten in graphite, is: [Pearl Bailey]. At the bottom right corner is a paper watermark. The verso of the sketch is covered in text. At the top is [# 73 - ], and below are instructions as to how many yards are needed of each type of fabric. The sketch is unsigned. On the verso, the paper is stamped at the lower right corner with a United Scenic Artists stamp.

Topic: African American; Art; Costume design; Musical Theatre

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2011.57.45.2ab

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Exhibition: Musical Crossroads
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Boat seat with spider web design from Ecuador

Created by: Unidentified
Used by: Nazareno, Débora, Ecuadorian
Owned by: Juan García Salazar, Ecuadorian, 1944 - 2017

Medium: wood
Dimensions: H x W x D: 5 1/2 x 12 7/8 x 14 3/4 in. (14 x 32.7 x 37.5 cm)

Type: seating

Place made: Esmeraldas, Ecuador, Latin America, South America

Date: early 20th century

Description: A carved wooden boat seat with two legs and a concave center. The seat has a design etched into its surface of a spider web. A spider is at the center of the web.

Topic: African American; African diaspora; Art; Craftsmanship; Folklife; Ornamentation; Transportation

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Juan Garcia Salazar

Object number: 2008.18

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Exhibition: Cultural Expressions
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 050

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Dan Chair

Created by: Puryear, Michael, American

Medium: enamel paint and graphite on poplar and pecan wood
Dimensions: H x W x D: 27 1/2 × 31 × 17 in. (69.9 × 78.7 × 43.2 cm)

Type: chairs

Place depicted: West Africa, Africa

Date: 2010

Caption: Artist Statement:; “The opportunity to work with woods supplied by Historical Woods of America, specifically poplar from Monticello and pecan from Mt. Vernon, provided me with the opportunity to honor and acknowledge the contributions of African American slaves to this country. Like my own ancestry this heritage began before the founding of the United States. African Americans have fought with honor and loyalty in every war of our nation. They have significantly contributed economically, socially, culturally and politically to American culture.; The Dan Chair is an expression of my pride in being a descendant of slaves. It is an interpretation of a style of chair found among peoples of what was historically known as the Slave Coast of West Africa. One of those peoples is the Dan.; The chair symbolizes the nobility of American slaves and the ukibori, a [Japanese] technique of producing raised patterns in wood, on the legs represents the scars of bondage.”
Description: Low chair by Michael Puryear inspired by a West African design. The chair has a burnished graphite finish over the crafted wood to produce a silver metallic sheen. Small circular bars form the upper half of the chair. The top bar is curved with angled ends. Joins connect this piece to matching bars which meet at the seat base. The base is flat and rectangular and set between thicker framing pieces with rounded edges. There are joins for the four (4) chair legs in these connectors. The legs flare out from the top and have a rim around the base. The front two (2) legs have raised markings in the wood intentionally imitating lash marks.

Topic: African American; Africa; African diaspora; Art; Craftsmanship; Design; Identity; Slavery; United States--History

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2017.18

Restrictions & Rights: © Michael Puryear

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Wrought iron gate created by Philip Simmons

Created by: Simmons, Philip, American, 1912 - 2009

Medium: iron alloy
Dimensions: 79 1/2 × 29 × 4 in. (201.9 × 73.7 × 10.2 cm); 2008.11.1ab: 153 lb. (69.4 kg); 2008.11.1a: 77 lb. (34.9 kg); 2008.11.1b: 76 lb. (34.5 kg)

Type: gates

Place made: Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America
Place used: Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1970s

Description: A wrought iron metalwork gate created by the blacksmith and artist Philip Simmons. The gate has two halves, one with a female latch with an inverted L-shaped vertical slide lock. The other has the male latch with a decorative hook that slides up and down on two bolts. Each door of the gate is primarily composed of seven evenly spaced vertical bars. Halfway up each gate is an open section with curving French scroll work positioned horizontally. Similar scroll work is present as the top decoration of the gate. The gate doors are taller at their center than on their hinge side.

Topic: African American; Art; Craftsmanship; Ornamentation

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2008.11.1ab

Restrictions & Rights: © Phillip Simmons Estate

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Bobblehead doll in the form of "Mammy"

Created by: Bouge, Cindee, American

Medium: papier mâché , metal and glass
Dimensions: 10 1/4 x 3 3/4 x 4 7/8 in. (26 x 9.5 x 12.4 cm)

Type: character dolls

Date: 2000-2007

Description: A papier mâché bobblehead doll in the form of "Mammy." The doll's head and body are attached by a metal spring. Her nose, cheeks, and lips are red. The figure has glass eyes with brown irises. A white kerchief with black polka dots covers her head. She has bare feet and is wearing a yellow dress with black polka dots. The dress has a black ruffle over the breast and a black shawl is tied around her neck. Her breasts and backside protrude out from the body. The figure is mounted on a round black base. Signed on the back, at the bottom right [Cindee / Bouge].

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Craftsmanship; Stereotypes

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer

Object number: 2007.7.110

Restrictions & Rights: © Cindee Bouge. Permission required for use.

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Papier mâché container in the form of "Mammy's" head

Created by: Bouge, Cindee, American

Medium: paint on papier mâché and cloth
Dimensions: 8 1/4 x 8 x 8 1/2 in. (21 x 20.3 x 21.6 cm)

Type: containers

Date: 2003

Description: Papier mâché container in the form of "Mammy's" head. The container is spherical, with a round hole cut out at the top, revealing a hollow inside. The face has a prominent nose and large red lips. Yellow flower-print fabric is adhered around the head and tied as a kerchief. The print features blue, red, and yellow flowers with green stems. The bottom of the container is signed, in black [Cindee / Bouge / 2003]

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Craftsmanship; Domestic life; Stereotypes

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer

Object number: 2007.7.111

Restrictions & Rights: © Cindee Bouge. Permission required for use.

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Black Uncle Sam pieced miniature quilt

Created by: Blumrich, Stephen, German-American, 1941 - 2015

Medium: cotton
Dimensions: H x W x D: 30 × 21 7/8 × 1/4 in. (76.2 × 55.6 × 0.6 cm)

Type: quilts

Place made: Tullahoma, Coffee County, Tennessee, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1986

Description: This miniature quilt or wall hanging made by Stephen Blumrich of Pea Ridge Purties features twelve (12) pieced Black Uncle Sam blocks separated by sashing. The quilt consists of the pieced top layer, a thin layer of batting, and a plain muslin backing. The layers are tied together with red thread, each tie corresponding to make a button at the center chest of the shirt of the pieced figural blocks. Each figure wears a red and white striped top hat with a blue brim and has his arms outstretched. The faces and hands are made from plain black cotton. Yellow eyes and a red mouth are embroidered on each face. All of the figures wear red and white striped pants matching the hats, but each figure's shirt is made from a different printed cotton. The background of the figural blocks is made from a plain muslin that appears to have been dyed with tea or coffee to appear aged. The blocks are set with sashing made from a navy cotton with small floral sprig design, with a yellow fabric in the sashing corners that is fussy cut so that a five-pointed star is at the center of the squares. The top is surrounded by a thin border made from plain red cotton. The backing of the quilt is made from a single piece of the same plain muslin dyed with coffee or tea that is used in the background of the figural blocks. Stamped in the lower right corner of the back is a rectangle in dark brown with uncolored text inside reading "PEA RIDGE / PURTIES." Text stamped in dark brown below the box reads "COPYRIGHT 1986 / STEPHEN BLUMRICH".

Topic: African American; Art; Caricature and cartoons; Craftsmanship; Folklife

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer

Object number: 2007.7.263

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design; Textiles-Quilts

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sculpture in the form of a caricature of a seated hunter

Medium: antler, wood and metal
Dimensions: 10 1/2 x 13 x 10 1/2 in. (26.7 x 33 x 26.7 cm)

Type: sculpture

Date: 20th century

Description: A carved antler sculpture in the form of a caricature of a hunter mounted on a wood base. The man is seated on a tree stump. He’s wearing a brimmed hat and has painted white eyes and wide red lips. A dead bird carved from bone hangs from a strip of black leather held in the figurine's proper left hand. On the left is a tree and plant life carved from antler. The pieces include a twelve (12) point antler, a four (4) pronged antler piece, and the base of an antler with the burr at the top. The top of the wooden base is covered in a mosaic of bone pieces.

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Stereotypes

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer

Object number: 2007.7.316

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Lithograph depicting a pig knocking over a “zip coon”

Created by: Unidentified

Medium: ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions: H x W: 7 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. (19.1 x 14 cm)

Type: lithographs

Date: 20th century

Description: Color lithograph depicting a pig knocking over a “zip coon.” A cartoon farm scene in which a “coon” farmer and dog chases a pig down a dirt road. In the foreground, a pig has knocked a “zip coon” man off his feet. The man has grey hair and a wide red mouth. He is wearing a dark blue jacket, white shirt, yellow bow tie, red and white striped pants, blue socks, and brown shoes. A white glove covers his proper left hand. His other glove, glasses, top hat, and a red book are in the air, and a red umbrella lies on the ground under the pig. An orange dog is behind the pig on the road. Behind the dog is a “coon” farmer wearing a white shirt, red suspenders, and blue pants. He holds a blue and orange hat in his proper left hand and a stick in his proper right.

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Stereotypes

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer

Object number: 2007.7.374

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Wax figurine of a vegetable vendor

Created by: Rosado, Lucy Alfonso Alfaro, American, 1894 - 1978

Medium: glass, metal, wood, cloth, wax and plastic
Dimensions: H x W x D (2007.7.447a): 8 3/8 × 4 15/16 × 4 15/16 in. (21.3 × 12.5 × 12.5 cm); H x W x D (2007.7.447b): 1 3/8 × 5 3/4 × 5 3/4 in. (3.5 × 14.6 × 14.6 cm); H x W x D (2007.7.447c): 7 1/4 × 3 × 3 in. (18.4 × 7.6 × 7.6 cm); H x W x D (2007.7.447d): 2 1/4 × 3 × 2 1/4 in. (5.7 × 7.6 × 5.7 cm)

Type: figurines

Place made: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1935-1940

Description: A wax figurine of a vegetable vendor with a basket of produce.; 2007.7.447a:; A clear, glass display dome. The glass is one-sixteenth of an inch (1/16") thick.; 2007.7.447b:; A black plinth for the figurine and produce basket. The plinth is round and has two (2) round tiers atop three (3) rectangular feet.; 2007.7.447c:; A figurine of a vegetable vendor standing on a square, dark brown wood block. The man is wearing a yellow hat, yellow patterned fabric shirt, and blue and off-white striped fabric pants. His feet are black. A red and white striped kerchief is tied around his neck. The figure is standing with his proper right arm reaching forward. There is hardened wax on the top surface of the wood block around the figure's feet and in a circle in front of him.; 2007.7.447d:; A plastic miniature of a basket filled with produce. The basket is yellow plastic, with a woven design around the sides. The basket is filled with produce. Identifiable produce includes a head of cabbage and an eggplant. On each side of the cabbage head are three (3) yellow tubular vegetables and three (3) red tubular vegetables. A yellow gourd-like item sits in front of the cabbage, next to the eggplant. Another loose eggplant is included with the basket.

Topic: African American; Agriculture; Caricature and cartoons; Craftsmanship; Foodways; Stereotypes

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer

Object number: 2007.7.447a-d

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sculpture in the form of a caricatured porter holding a tray

Created by: Unidentified

Medium: metal and paint
Dimensions: 38 x 14 x 7 1/2 in. (96.5 x 35.6 x 19.1 cm)

Type: sculpture

Date: mid 19th-20th century

Description: A freestanding, metal sculpture in the form of a caricatured porter holding a tray. The man is depicted wearing a red porter’s hat with a chin strap, blue jacket, blue pants, and black shoes. The jacket has a white front with red buttons. The pants have a red stripe running down each leg. The man is holding a white tray in both hands. The figure is flattened and stands atop a brown circular base. The tray is round.

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Cooking and dining; Domestic life; Stereotypes

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer

Object number: 2007.7.468

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Teapot made by Peter Bentzon

Created by: Bentzon, Peter, American, ca. 1783 - after 1850

Medium: silver and wood
Dimensions: H x W: 7 x 12 x 5 in. (17.8 x 30.5 x 12.7 cm)

Type: teapots

Place made: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: ca. 1817-1829

Description: The silver teapot has an oval vase-shape on a spreading pedestal foot, with curved spout capped by an incised patera and wooden leaf-capped scroll handle, and hinged domed cover with acorn finial. The scripted monogram "MC" has been engraved on the side and the name "Rebecca Dawson" has been engraved along the bottom rim.

Topic: African American; African diaspora; Craftsmanship; Free communities of color; Ornamentation; United States--History--1815-1861

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2010.14

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Exhibition: Slavery and Freedom
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 3, C3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Pine needle cup and saucer

Created by: Jackson, Johnnie Ree, American, born 1904

Medium: leaf (plant material) , thread
Dimensions: H x W x D (cup): 1 5/8 x 3 1/8 x 2 5/8 in. (4.1 x 7.9 x 6.7 cm); Diameter (saucer): 3 3/4 x 9/16 in. (9.5 x 1.4 cm)

Type: saucers; teacups

Place made: Talbot County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1980s

Description: A cup (2011.143.3.1a) and saucer (2011.143.3.1b) made of woven pine needles held together by thread.

Topic: African American; American South; Craftsmanship; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Michael McManus

Object number: 2011.143.3.1ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Pine needle cup and saucer

Created by: Jackson, Johnnie Ree, American, born 1904

Medium: leaf (plant material) , thread
Dimensions: H x W x D (cup): 1 9/16 x 3 1/8 x 2 5/8 in. (4 x 7.9 x 6.7 cm); Diameter (saucer): 3 1/2 x 1/2 in. (8.9 x 1.3 cm)

Type: saucers; teacups

Place made: Talbot County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1980s

Description: A cup (2011.143.3.2a) and saucer (2011.143.3.2b) made of woven pine needles held together by thread.

Topic: African American; American South; Craftsmanship; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Michael McManus

Object number: 2011.143.3.2ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Pine needle cup and saucer

Created by: Jackson, Johnnie Ree, American, born 1904

Medium: leaf (plant material) , thread
Dimensions: H x W x D (cup): 1 7/8 x 3 1/4 x 2 5/8 in. (4.8 x 8.3 x 6.7 cm); Diameter (saucer): 3 3/4 x 5/8 in. (9.5 x 1.6 cm)

Type: saucers; teacups

Place made: Talbot County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1980s

Description: A cup (2011.143.3.3a) and saucer (2011.143.3.3b) made of woven pine needles held together by thread.

Topic: African American; American South; Craftsmanship; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Michael McManus

Object number: 2011.143.3.3ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

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Pine needle cup and saucer

Pine needle cup and saucer

Pine needle cup and saucer

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