On View
Segregation Gallery
Exhibition
Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
Created by
Rosado, Lucy Alfonso Alfaro, American, 1894 - 1978
Date
1935-1940
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)
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 figure is wearing a yellow hat, red and white striped kerchief, yellow patterned fabric shirt, and blue and off-white striped fabric pants. The feet are black. 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.
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.
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.
Place made
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification
Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Racist and Stereotypical Objects
Type
figurines
Topic
Craftsmanship
Design
Folklife
Foodways
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
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd56ab809c9-fd23-4956-9148-ab9655dcc5fe

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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