On View
Segregation Gallery
Exhibition
Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
Created by
Unidentified
Date
late 19th-early 20th century
Medium
cast iron and paint
Dimensions
4 1/2 x 3 5/8 x 3 1/4 in. (11.4 x 9.2 x 8.3 cm)
Description
Cast iron coin bank in the form of a bust of a caricatured boy. The boy is wearing a red shirt, with white collar and black bow tie. Mouth of boy is painted red with white teeth. The boy’s eyes are painted white with black dots at the center. Bank is made of two halves put together, with a vertical seam running down the sides of the bank. Raised lettering on the back of the bank reads, [THE / YOUNG NIGGER / BANK]. The bank of the boy's head has a small horizontal slot for inserting coins. There are five holes on bottom of bank. There is one dime is in the bank.
Statement
Objects depicting racist and/or stereotypical imagery or language may be offensive and disturbing, but the NMAAHC aims to include them in the Collection to present and preserve the historical context in which they were created and used. Objects of this type provide an important historical record from which to study and evaluate racism.
Collection title
Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification
Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor
Racist and Stereotypical Objects
Type
banks (containers)
Topic
Caricature and cartoons
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
2007.7.218
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5bc93e2cb-653a-44b3-b2fc-da3023889ac0

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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