On View
Musical Crossroads Gallery
Exhibition
Musical Crossroads
Designed by
Blakely, Dorian
Worn by
Hendryx, Nona, American, born 1944
Subject of
Labelle, American, founded 1962
Date
1974
Medium
metal and leather
Dimensions
H x W x D (On form): 7 3/4 × 4 3/4 × 2 in. (19.7 × 12.1 × 5.1 cm)
H x W x D (Flat): 4 5/8 × 10 3/8 × 1 in. (11.7 × 26.4 × 2.5 cm)
Description
These prop handcuffs are part of a costume worn by Nona Hendryx of Labelle. The costume consists of a headdress (.1), a cape (.2), silver studded black leather collar, breast covers, and codpiece (.3a-d), wrist cuffs (.4ab), platform boots (.5ab), prop handcuffs (.6), and a prop riding crop (.7).
The handcuffs (.6) attached at the proper left hip of the white long-sleeved ankle-length unitard. The handcuffs are standard silver stainless steel, with rotating arm holes hinged to a ratchet mechanism for adjustable fit. The cuffs are attached together with a short length of heavy metal chain. One (1) strip of black leather wraps over the chain. The leather is decorated with convex silver rounded metal nail head studs and is tacked together at the sides. Two (2) large metal hooks are attached to the inside of the leather wrap, so that the cuffs dangle down from the leather wrap when they are hooked to the unitard.
This costume is very similar to a costume worn by Hendryx during a performance at the Metropolitan Opera House on October 6, 1974.
Place used
Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, Manhattan County, New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Clothing-Costume
Movement
Afrofuturism
Type
handcuffs
props
Topic
Clothing and dress
Costume
Costume design
Design
Disco (Music)
Funk (Music)
Rhythm and blues (Music)
Rock and roll (Music)
Singers (Musicians)
Soul (Music)
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Nona Hendryx of Labelle
Object number
2014.246.2.6
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd56ccf186d-1194-44be-bd81-89c5b17589d1

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

Share this page