Manufactured by
Unidentified
Issued by
United States Congress, American, founded 1789
Received by
Calloway, Cab, American, 1907 - 1994
Subject of
National Endowment for the Arts, American, founded 1965
Date
1993
Medium
metal and ribbon with wood , glass and paint
Dimensions
H x W x D: 21 1/4 × 10 1/2 × 5 3/8 in. (54 × 26.7 × 13.6 cm)
Description
A National Medal of Arts received by Cab Calloway in 1993. The gold medal is suspended on an eggplant purple ribbon inside a double glass paneled display case. The case is tall and rectangular in shape with a plain, rectangular beveled base. It is constructed from wood with brushed gold leafing. The top portion of the shadowbox features molded, beveled edges with a dark brown accent line at the outer edge and a light brown mat holding the medal and ribbon in place. The front and back of the shadow box are covered with clear glass. Suspended inside is the medal. The front of the medal features four stylized human figures depicted in dance poses. Stamped text printed below reads [NATIONAL MEDAL / OF / ARTS]. Molded text on the back of the metal printed around the top edge reads [UNITED STATES OF AMERICA]. Stamped at the back center is the name [CAB CALLOWAY]. The medal is soldered to a half moon-shaped bezel. The accompanying ribbon wraps around the top, flat edge of the bezel. The case has two gold tone hinges at the top. The base of the shadow box is plain wood with a rectangular cut out at the center where the glass paneled shadowbox has been inserted and secured to the base with four small screws.
Place used
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
The Cabell “Cab” Calloway III Collection
Classification
Awards, Medals, and Insignia
Type
medals
Topic
Band (Music)
Composers (Musicians)
Conductors (Musicians)
Dance
Jazz (Music)
Professional organizations
Singers (Musicians)
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Cabella Calloway Langsam
Object number
A2015.273.1.16
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd54a7f608d-e9bf-482a-8470-50c514cecb59

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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