On View
Slavery and Freedom Gallery
Exhibition
Slavery and Freedom
Manufactured by
I. Nutting & Son, British, ca.1805 - 1840
Used by
Porter, Thomas II, British, 1790 - 1857
Date
ca. 1820
Medium
pewter
Dimensions
Diameter: 13/16 in. (2.1 cm), 3.9Grams
Description
A round pewter button with "TPORTER" stamped across the middle. This button would have been sewn onto an enslaved person's shirt to identify him or her as belonging to Thomas Porter II. On the reverse side of the button there are fine concentric circle impressions within a pronounced rim as well as a stamp which is now illegible. There is also evidence of a parting line for a two-part mold on the reverse of the button. The button has considerable wear with pitting on both sides.
Place collected
Georgia, United States, North and Central America
Place used
Demerara-Mahaica, Guyana, Caribbean, South America
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Awards, Medals, and Insignia
Type
buttons (fasteners)
buttons (information artifacts)
Topic
Business
Commerce
Middle Passage
Slavery
Trans Atlantic slave trade
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2009.32.1
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd538c17a61-69b3-46bf-a657-95362382579e

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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