- Distributed by
- International Beauty Exchange, Inc., American, founded 1992
- Date
- 2014
- Medium
- ink on metal with plastic;
- ink on cardboard
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (2014.284.2ab): 6 1/8 × 1 9/16 × 1 in. (15.6 × 4 × 2.5 cm)
- H x W x D (2014.284.2c): 1 7/16 × 6 13/16 × 1 3/16 in. (3.7 × 17.3 × 3 cm)
- Description
- A tube with cap (2014.284.2ab) and box (2014.284.2c) of African Formula Skin Lightening Cream.
- A tube (2014.284.2a) of African Formula Skin Lightening Cream made of metal with a white plastic cap (2014.284.2b). The tube of lightening cream is black. Printed across the front of the tube in white text outlined in green is [AFRICAN FORMULA TM] with [Skin Lightening Cream] printed in white text below. On either side of the text is a green graphic of a kneeling person, holding a bowl, with a stylized baby strapped to the person’s back. The graphic shows the person in profile. Above and below the central text are bands of geometric patterns in green, red, and yellow. Below the central text in the center of the band of geometric pattern is yellow text that reads [BLACK CREAM]. At the top of the tube, to the right of the figure is additional white text, vertically oriented that reads [Net Wt / 1.76 oz / 50g]. On the back of the tube is white text includes: drug facts, directions for use, inactive ingredients, warnings for use, and manufacturer information. The white cap has a sharp point to puncture the top end of the tube.
- Thin, rectangular, cardboard box (2014.284.2c) packaging for the tube of lightening cream. Printed across the front of the box in white text outlined in green is [AFRICAN FORMULA TM] with [Skin Lightening Cream] printed in white text below. On either side of the text is a green graphic of a kneeling person, holding a bowl, with a stylized baby strapped to the person’s back. The graphic shows the person in profile. Above and below the central text are bands of geometric patterns in green, red, and yellow. Below the central text in the center of the band of geometric pattern is yellow text that reads [BLACK CREAM]. The same text and graphics are printed on another side of the box except that below the brand name is the text [Crème Éclaircissant] printed in white and [CRÈME NOIR] printed in yellow text in the center of the lower geometric pattern band. Both sides list the net weight, vertically oriented [Net Wt / 1.76 oz / 50g]. Another side of the box has blocks of white text that includes drug facts, directions for use, inactive ingredients, and warning for use written in English. And the forth side has the same information written in French, in white text, but also includes the manufacturer’s and distributer’s information in yellow text.
- Place made
- Europe
- Classification
- Accessories and Personal Effects
- Type
- cosmetics
- Topic
- Africa
- Beauty culture
- Colorism
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2014.284.2abc
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




