- Created by
- Lafar, John Joseph, American, 1784 - 1849
- Date
- 1811
- Medium
- metal
- Dimensions
- H x W: 2 × 2 in. (5.2 × 5 cm)
- Description
- This is a square metal slave badge with quarter-circles cut out of the four corners. On the recto is text that reads ”CHARLESTON [stamped]” across the top. Under that is “1811 [stamped] / CARPENTER [stamped] / No. [stamped] 27 [engraved] .” There is no legible cartouche on the verso. There is a long narrow gash running the length of the word “Charleston.” There is a hole punched at the center top.
- Collection title
- Charleston Slave Hire Badge Collection
- Classification
- Slavery and Freedom Objects
- Type
- slave hire badges
- Topic
- Labor
- Skilled labor
- Slave hire system
- Slavery
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Partial Gift of Harry S. Hutchins, Jr. DDS, Col. (Ret.) and his Family, dedicated to the individuals these Slave Hire Badges represent and their descendants
- Object number
- 2022.5.21
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




