On View
Segregation Gallery
Exhibition
Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
Manufactured by
Hubley Manufacturing Company, American, 1894 - 1980
Date
1909-1940
Medium
paint on metal, paper (fiber product)
Dimensions
H x W x D (2007.7.286.1): 3 1/4 × 1 3/4 × 1 1/4 in. (8.3 × 4.4 × 3.2 cm)
H x W x D (2007.7.286.2): 2 1/2 × 2 1/2 × 1 3/4 in. (6.4 × 6.4 × 4.4 cm)
H x W x D (2007.7.286.3): 2 1/8 × 1 1/8 × 1 in. (5.4 × 2.9 × 2.5 cm)
H x W x D (2007.7.286.4): 2 3/8 × 717 × 1 in. (6 × 1821.2 × 2.5 cm)
Description
A set of four (4) painted, cast iron figurines in the form of “Mammy,” “Uncle Mose,” and a seated female "pickaninny," and a dancing, male "pickaninny."
2007.7.286.1:
A cast iron figurine in the form of “Mammy.” The figurine is depicted standing on a green base with her hands are clasped together at her waist and held slightly to the proper right. She has a bright red mouth and large eyes. She is wearing a white shirt, light yellow skirt, and black shoes. A red kerchief covers her head. A white sticker is adhered to the bottom the figurine. The black handwriting on the stickers reads [200 00 / SET of 4 / JOHN FIC].
2007.7.286.2:
A cast iron figurine in the form of “Uncle Mose.” The figurine is depicted seated on a metal block, painted light yellow, strumming a banjo. He is partially bald with a ring of gray hair around the back of his head, a gray beard, gray eyebrows, and a large, bright red mouth. He is wearing an off-white shirt, black vest, gray pants and black shoes. The banjo has been painted off-white. A white sticker is adhered to the bottom the figurine. The black handwriting on the stickers reads [200 00 / SET of 4 / HUBLEY / FIC].
2007.7.286.3:
A cast iron figurine in the form of a female "pickaninny." The girl is depicted seated on a gray rock with her hands in her lap. She is wearing a white dress with a red bow at the neck. Her hair is in four (4) pigtails on top of her head. The figurine's eyes are painted as if she is looking to the proper right, and she has a red mouth. A white sticker is adhered to the bottom the figurine. The black handwriting on the stickers reads [200 00 / SET of 4 / FIC].
2007.7.286.4:
A cast iron figurine in the form of a male "pickaninny." The boy is depicted in a dance pose with his elbows up, hands at his waist and his proper left knee bent and slightly raised to the side. He is standing on a green metal base. He is wearing a white shirt and light yellow pants. He has black painted hair and a bright red mouth. A white sticker is adhered to the bottom the figurine. The black handwriting on the stickers reads [200 00 / SET of 4 / FIC].
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
figurines
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
2007.7.286.1-.4
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5a5c4a090-b3c2-44ab-887a-4bbbfd6a9364

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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