H x W x D (2007.7.300abc): 15 × 13 1/4 × 4 3/4 in. (38.1 × 33.7 × 12.1 cm)
H x W x D (2007.7.300a): 13 1/4 × 10 3/4 × 13/16 in. (33.7 × 27.3 × 2.1 cm)
H x W x D (2007.7.300b): 2 5/8 × 4 3/4 × 13/16 in. (6.7 × 12.1 × 2.1 cm)
H x W x D (2007.7.300c): 15 1/4 × 12 × 4 in. (38.7 × 30.5 × 10.2 cm)
Type:
whirligigs
Date:
mid 20th century
Description:
A wooden whirligig in the form of a caricature of a boy holding a watermelon slice on a metal stand.
2007.7.300a
A painted wooden cutout of a seated boy in profile holding a watermelon slice cutout. The boy is wearing a yellow and black hat, white shirt, and red shorts. The hat has a black band and a black bow on one side. Four (4) round holes are located on the bottom of the figure. A metal pole extends upward from his hand connecting to the watermelon slice.
2007.7.300b
A painted wooden cutout of a watermelon slice. The slice is semicircular with a curve cut out along the top edge, representing a bite taken. The watermelon is painted with red flesh, black seeds, and a green rind. A round hole on the bottom edge fits into metal rod on boy's hands and rotates.
2007.7.300c
A black metal stand. The stand has a rectangular base with cylindrical pole in the center.
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.
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
