Created by
Unidentified
Date
ca. 1920-1940s
Medium
wood, bristle, paint and cloth
Dimensions
7 x 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. (17.8 x 8.3 x 8.3 cm)
Description
A long-bristled clothes brush with a handle in the form of a caricatured woman. The woman’s head and body are two, round wood shapes. Her face is painted black with white eyes and a red mouth and she is wearing a yellow hat. A discolored white ribbon is tied around the neck in a bow. Her body is painted yellow. A scalloped edged black collar has been painted around the neck. There are five (5) circular buttons painted down the center of the body. Tan bristles are attached through numerous holes in the bottom of the handle, forming her skirt.
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
Racist and Stereotypical Objects
Type
clothes brushes
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
2007.7.52
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd546e6effc-38c8-4a9c-be07-45de48c86128

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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