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Catalog Data

Created by:
Unidentified  Search this
Medium:
wood , paint and metal
Dimensions:
H x W x D (2007.7.204a-d): 14 1/8 × 9 7/8 × 3 13/16 in. (35.9 × 25.1 × 9.7 cm)
H x W x D (2007.7.204a): 12 1/4 × 3 × 2 in. (31.1 × 7.6 × 5.1 cm)
H x W x D (2007.7.204a & d): 12 7/8 × 3 × 2 in. (32.7 × 7.6 × 5.1 cm)
H x W x D (2007.7.204b): 9 1/2 × 1/4 × 1/4 in. (24.1 × 0.6 × 0.6 cm)
H x W x D (2007.7.204c): 1 7/8 × 9 7/8 × 3 13/16 in. (4.8 × 25.1 × 9.7 cm)
H x W x D (2007.7.204d): 3/4 × 1 1/16 × 1 1/16 in. (1.9 × 2.7 × 2.7 cm)
Type:
dolls
Date:
ca. 1935
Description:
A wooden jig doll in the form of a caricatured porter. The doll has jointed limbs and "dances" when a levered paddle on the base is manually activated. The doll consists of four (4) pieces: doll, dowel, base, and hat.
2007.7.204a:
A wooden jig doll in the form of a caricatured porter. His face is painted black, with white eyes and a wide, white mouth. A cylindrical wooden hat (2007.7.204d) sits atop the PR side of his head. The hat fits on top of a small dowel and can be removed. The doll has been painted wearing porter’s uniform: a red jacket over a white shirt and red tie. A red and white boutonniere has been painted over his proper left breast. The doll's arms are jointed at the shoulder and his legs are jointed at the hip and knees. His legs and feet are unpainted wood. A dowel has been inserted into a round hole in the bottom of the torso, attaching the legs.
2007.7.204b:
A wooden dowel. Fits into a hole in the base and stands up vertically. The top fits into the doll, allowing the doll to stand above the wooden paddle (2007.7.204c).
2007.7.204c:
A rectangular wooden base for the doll, with levered paddle. The base is painted red with a yellow semi-circle design. A rectangular wood block is attached to the base and acts as a fulcrum for the paddle. The paddle has a round face, painted brown and white. It has a round hole in the center that is aligned over a round hole in the base, into which a wooden dowel (2007.7.204b) is inserted. The paddle acts as a base for the figure, which "dances" when the lever is pressed up and down.
2007.7.204d:
A cylindrical hat for doll. The hat is brown wood, with a red band painted around the bottom. There is a round hole in the bottom, which allows the hat to be inserted onto a dowel on the doll's head.
Statement:
Objects depicting racist and/or stereotypical imagery or language may be offensive and disturbing, but the NMAAHC aims to include them in the Collection to present and preserve the historical context in which they were created and used. Objects of this type provide an important historical record from which to study and evaluate racism.
Topic:
African American  Search this
Caricature and cartoons  Search this
Stereotypes  Search this
Credit Line:
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Object number:
2007.7.204a-d
Restrictions & Rights:
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
See more items in:
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title:
Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification:
Toys and Games
Racist and Stereotypical Objects
Exhibition:
Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View:
NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053
Data Source:
National Museum of African American History and Culture
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5379f060b-21d4-4a8c-b557-830efb629abe
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmaahc_2007.7.204a-d