On View
Slavery and Freedom Gallery
Exhibition
Slavery and Freedom
Created by
Unidentified
Owned by
The Right Reverend Allen, Richard, American, 1760 - 1831
Tanner, Benjamin Tucker, American, 1835 - 1923
Subject of
African Methodist Episcopal Church, American, founded 1816
Date
early 19th century
Medium
wood, iron, brass (alloy), leather and paper (fiber product)
Dimensions
H x W: 4 3/4 x 9 3/4 x 5 1/2 in. (12.1 x 24.8 x 14 cm)
Description
Money box that belonged to the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church, Bishop Richard Allen. The rectangular box is flat on all sides with a flat bottom. It has a slightly domed top with a horizontal 1 7/8" slot in the center. The brass handle on the top is joined to the box by flat circular disks on either side of the slot. The top of the box is a hinged lid, attached in the back with two hinges. The box is constructed of wood and covered in dark, reddish-brown leather. There is a metal locking mechanism nailed to the front of the box, with a hinged piece that fits into a slot on the lock attached to the center front of the lid. Brass nails with circular heads are lined along the edges of the lid and front and back edges. Smaller brass nails surround the bottom edge of the box and side panels. There is a rectangular piece of off-white, discolored paper adhered to the center of the bottom of the box. Handwritten text in black ink on the paper reads [(illegible) / Rev. C. M.(?) Tanner D.D.(?) / 1 Dec. 1906 / Phila. / The Money Box of Richard Allen]. The inside of the box appears to have been lined with paper, with remnants visible on all inside surfaces. The inside of the lid and back edge contain the most complete pieces. The paper is white with a red circular repeating design.
Place used
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Sacred and Ceremonial Objects
Type
boxes (containers)
Topic
African Methodist Episcopal
Methodist
Religion
The Black Church
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture; Gift of the Bishop Frederick and Mrs. Artishia Jordan Scholarship Fund
Object number
2013.56.1
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd59b2c441b-30f6-4001-a120-01626c17d428

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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