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
reinforced plastic, paint, leather, and metal
Dimensions
H x W x D (On form): 25 5/8 × 11/16 × 3/4 in. (65.1 × 1.7 × 1.9 cm)
H x W x D (Flat): 25 5/8 × 2 1/2 × 3/4 in. (65.1 × 6.4 × 1.9 cm)
Description
This prop riding crop is 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 riding crop (.7) is a slightly flexible plastic tapered shaft covered with black braided synthetic fiber. The entire crop is spray painted with metallic silver paint. On the thin end of the crop shaft is a short loop of black leather (the keeper). Attached to the thicker end of the crop is a thin loop of black leather to be worn over the wearer's wrist. There is a silver cap on the thicker end of the crop at its handle. One (1) bead of black scored plastic is attached to the shaft approximately 6 1/2 inches from the tip of the metal cap. There is one (1) metal hook sewn on the handle so it can attach at the proper right hip of the white long-sleeved ankle-length 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
crops (animal equipment)
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
2014.246.2.7
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5a954c9b4-cf1d-48e7-a928-a2a44b4cfab3

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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