On View
Cultural Expressions Gallery
Exhibition
Cultural Expressions
Manufactured by
El Paradis Cosmetic, Ivorian
Subject of
Unidentified Woman or Women
Date
2020
Medium
ink on plastic and cardboard
Dimensions
H x W x D (Overall): 4 × 3 × 2 1/2 in. (10.2 × 7.6 × 6.4 cm)
H x W x D (Jar): 3 1/4 × 3 × 2 1/2 in. (8.3 × 7.6 × 6.4 cm)
H x W x D (Lid): 3/4 × 2 1/2 × 2 1/2 in. (1.9 × 6.4 × 6.4 cm)
H x W x D (box): 4 1/4 × 3 1/16 × 2 7/8 in. (10.8 × 7.8 × 7.3 cm)
Description
A jar (a) with lid (b) and box (c) of Nature Secrète Lightening Moisturizing Body Cream.
2022.95ab: A jar of Nature Secrète Lightening Moisturizing Body Cream made from white plastic with a white plastic lid. The cylindrical jar has a primarily white adhesive label applied to the front that features a repeating light green graphic of a snail above the text [Nature Secrète]. At the top center of the label is a large green snail graphic. Printed below is green and black text in varying sizes and fonts that reads [Nature Secrète / á l’huile d’ARGAN / Crème DE CORPS / Pour une peau soyeuse et resplendissante]. In the top left corner of the label is a triangular banner with white text printed inside that reads [Nouveau]. Stamped over the large snail graphic is the fabrication and expiration dates printed in black ink. The back of the jar is plain. The white cap is round and has a molded grip around the edges.
2022.95c: A rectangular, cardboard box packaging for the jar of Nature Secrète Lightening Moisturizing Body Cream. The front and back of the box is primarily white with a repeating light green graphic of a snail above the text [Nature Secrète] and a silver frame. At the top center of the front is a large green snail graphic. Printed below is green and black text in varying sizes and fonts that reads [Nature Secrète / á l’huile d’ARGAN / Lightening Moisturizing / BODY CREAM]. Below are two nearly identical, side-by-side photographs of a pairs of women’s legs. The photograph on the left has the text [BEFORE] printed at the top and features a pair of legs with a darker skin tone than the photograph on the right. The photograph on the right has the text [AFTER] printed at the top and features a pair of legs with a lighter skin tone than the photograph on the left. There is also a small snail resting on the top of the legs on the right. Portuguese text printed below the photographs reads [clareamento CRÈME / CORPORAL e hidratação]. In the bottom left corner is a small green banner with white text that reads [ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL]. Green text printed in the right corner reads [Phyto-naturel]. The back of the box is nearly identical to the front but the text is printed in English. One side of the box also features two nearly identical photographs at the top and near the bottom. The photographs at the top are two close-ups of a woman's face below the text [AVANT] and [APRES]. The photograph of the model, on the left, shows the model with blemished skin and a darker skin tone. The same model, shown on the right, has unblemished skin and a lighter skin tone. The two photographs printed near the bottom are close-ups of a woman's feet with her ankles crossed and her hands resting on the top of her proper left foot. The photograph on the left this shows a model with a darker skin tone, and the photograph on the right shows a model with a lighter skin tone. At the bottom is a logo and information for the manufacturers, El Paradis Cosmetic. The other side of the box is nearly identical but the text is printed in English and the ingredients are listed at the bottom along with a barcode.
Place purchased
Brooklyn, New York, New York, United States, North and Central America
Place made
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, Africa
Classification
Accessories and Personal Effects
Type
jars
boxes (containers)
Topic
African diaspora
Beauty culture
Colorism
Cosmetics
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2022.95abc
Restrictions & Rights
Restrictions likely apply. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5b9148b75-e129-4b65-bcee-161a861e038c

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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