On View
Segregation Gallery
Exhibition
Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
Created by
Unidentified
Date
20th century
Medium
wood , paint and fiber
Dimensions
8 1/4 x 7 1/4 x 4 1/16 in. (21 x 18.4 x 10.3 cm)
Description
A wooden donation box (2007.7.225a) and lid (2007.7.225b), painted black. Off-white painted lettering on the front reads [ALABAMA / COON FUND] on the front of the box. The o's in "Coon" are used as eyes in a smiley face, with an exaggerated mouth drawn underneath. Engraved lettering on the back and left sides of the box read [LONSDALE / 6 1/2" x 44]. The lid features a carved figurine of a ‘coon” with its proper right hand outstretched stands on top of the box. He is wearing only painted-on brown shorts. His facial features are carved and black fibers have been adhered to his head as hair. The off-white pointed text in front of the figurine reads [DONATION!]. Under the writing is a long, thin rectangular coin slot.
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
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
2007.7.225ab
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5fcb4c27e-ebbd-4696-a618-335b705921c4

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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