- On View
- Taking the Stage Gallery
- Museum Maps
- Objects in this Location
- Exhibition
- Taking the Stage
- Designed by
- Norris, Patricia, American, 1931 - 2015
- Worn by
- Ejiofor, Chiwetel, British, born 1977
- Created by
- Western Costume Company, American, founded 1912
- Subject of
- Northup, Solomon, American, 1808 - 1875
- Date
- 2013
- Medium
- synthetic fiber, plastic buttons
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (On form): 21 1/2 × 16 1/4 × 11 in. (54.6 × 41.3 × 27.9 cm)
- Description
- This light brown vest was worn by Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup in the film 12 Years a Slave (2013). The vest is made from a heavy weight light brown plain woven synthetic or synthetic and cotton blend fabric. It closes at the center front with six (6) light brown round plastic buttons, though the bottom button is missing. The waist is straight cut. There are two (2) welted pockets on the vest, one at each front side waist. The interior of the vest is fully lined in a light brown synthetic fabric. Illegible and faded text is stamped at the interior proper right back. A white label with a barcode is adhered to the interior proper right shoulder with black text above the barcode reading "WESTERN COSTUME" and a number below it "4005262". Handwritten above the barcode label in black ink is the number "1871" and smudged text "SIZE 40 / #21 WCC".
- Classification
- Clothing - Costume
- Type
- vests (main garments)
- Topic
- Actors
- Clothing and dress
- Costume
- Costume design
- Design
- Film
- Men
- Slavery
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the Western Costume Company
- Object number
- 2015.158.2.3
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




