On View
Making a Way Gallery
Exhibition
Making a Way Out of No Way
Created by
Twelfth Baptist Church, American, founded 1840
Date
mid 19th century
Medium
wood, metal and varnish
Dimensions
39 5/8 x 83 1/4 x 17 1/4 in. (100.6 x 211.5 x 43.8 cm)
Description
The bench is varnished with a dark brown paint that is chipped in several places, revealing a lighter, golden brown grained wood underneath. The right panel of the pew is carved with a simple design and consists of one solid piece of wood while the left panel is made of three separate panels of wood. There are nails protruding and cracks in the wood where the seat and backrest of the pew are joined to the left panel. Spaced evenly along the top of the backrest are five metal oval plates carved with numbers. On the back of the backrest, at the center, are four nail holes placed in a rectangular formation where a hymn book rack was most likely once attached.
Place made
Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Religious and Sacred Objects
Movement
Anti-slavery movements
Type
pews
Topic
Antislavery
Baptist
Design
Religion
The Black Church
Worship services
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Vilna Shul, Boston's Center for Jewish Culture, Inc.
Object number
2014.69
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5fdc18aa1-3656-427d-bacf-45343edee8a4

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