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
wood , cloth and metal
Dimensions
16 3/4 x 21 x 11 1/4 in. (42.5 x 53.3 x 28.6 cm)
Description
A crank toy in the form of two minstrel male dancers mounted atop a brown wooden box. The figures are metal and wood, and are connected by wire to a cylindrical metal spindle covered in red fabric that protrudes out from a round hole in the top of the box. The figures have identical fabric clothing: brown shirts, white bow ties, white belts, and tan pants. Both figures dimpled bald heads, round white eyes, large red mouths, widely spaced white teeth, elongated necks and have bare feet. An L-shaped silver metal crank extends out from one side of the box. The crank has a brown and black wooden handle.
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
Toys and Games
Racist and Stereotypical Objects
Type
mechanical toys
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
2007.7.266
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5ee63ae6f-785f-41a9-835d-bae710f255f6

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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