On View
Segregation Gallery
Exhibition
Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
Manufactured by
Rhody Brush Company, American
Date
ca. 1935
Medium
wood , bristle and cloth
Dimensions
H x W x D: 7 1/16 × 2 3/4 × 3 1/4 in. (18 × 7 × 8.3 cm)
Description
A Rhody Brush Company "Mammy" clothes brush with red blouse and a skirt dotted with red polka dots. The long-bristled palm brush has a handle in the doll-like form of a "Mammy." The handle is painted wood, carved to resemble the head and torso of a woman and the bristle brush forms her skirt. The figure's head is painted black with white eyes, a white nose, and a wide red mouth. Her hat is painted red. The figure is armless but has a painted on red blouse with five (5) circular white buttons and a white scalloped collar. Tied around the neck of the figure is a yellow bow. Natural bristles are attached through numerous holes in the bottom of the body. The bristle skirt is dotted with red polka dots.
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
Woonsocket, Providence County, Rhode Island, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Racist and Stereotypical Objects
Type
clothes brushes
Topic
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
2007.7.53
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5def6e800-cf29-4bd8-9176-f4a7c8206361

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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