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SERIES 1 · THE COMPLETE COLLECTION

Series 1 · Complete Archive

Explore people and objects across Black history. Start anywhere, or follow the collection by date.

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115,761 matching cards · 24 cards per page

COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Visual Arts

Black Room with Bitches Brew

2010

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A framed portrait element (.2) of an installation artwork. The portrait is a bust view of a woman wearing a blue dress with two (2) white buttons on the front. The woman's dark brown hair is styled in a side-parted bob, and she is wearing gold hoop…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2013.148.2
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Visual Arts

Black Room with Bitches Brew

2010

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

The "cross" (.3) element of an installation artwork. This cross is made from three (3) carved and hand worked segments of wood. One (1) vertical piece of wood forms the stipe. The vertical segment is secured with metal screws and wood pegs inside a…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2013.148.3
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Visual Arts

Black Room with Bitches Brew

2010

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A jar (.4) element of an installation artwork. This large glass jar is placed on the floor in front of the central panel, and attaches to the central panel by a hand worked metal chain that hooks onto the central panel on a nail below the shelf on the…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2013.148.4
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Source image for Black ruffled scarf from Mae's Millinery ShopLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black ruffled scarf from Mae's Millinery Shop

1941-1994

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Black ruffled scarf from Mae's Millinery Shop. The scarf is made from a long oval piece of black synthetic fabric with the ruffle created through an oval of black elastic thread sewn around the interior of the oval piece of fabric. A self-fabric loop is…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2016.48.58
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black satin dress with hand-shaped decoration designed by Peter Davy

1985-1990

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black spandex satin dress with a hand-shaped cut-out decoration designed by Peter Davy. The dress has a sweetheart neckline in the front and a plunging V-neck at the back, and one shoulder strap on the proper right side. The bodice is fitted and the…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.102
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Source image for Black satin heeled sandal with ankle strapLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black satin heeled sandal with ankle strap

late 20th century

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A left black satin heeled sandal with an ankle strap. The shoe is made of black synthetic satin with a peep toe. The shoe has a quarter inch ankle strap that crosses at the center back of the heel. The back of the ankle strap, insole, and back of the front…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.1076
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black satin turban with red flowers and black bow from Mae's Millinery Shop

1941-1994

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Black satin turban designed by Mae Reeves made of silk satin chine with a black ground, chartreuse leaves, and cut velvet dark pink flowers. The fabric is pleated and draped so it swirls around the head. The interior of the turban is lined with black…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2013.213.5
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Toys and Games

Black "Scootles" composition doll

ca. 1947

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

2023.11.1a: A Black Scootles composition doll designed by Rose O’Neill for Cameo Doll Company. The baby doll has a swivel head and is articulated at the shoulders and hips. It has splayed hands, cheek dimples, a chin dimple, and molded forelock curls and…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2023.11.1ab
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Visual Arts

Black Seeds

1989

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

An eight-panel sculptural installation titled "Black Seeds" by El Anatsui. The panels are painted and incised grained wood planks. The first six panels (2023.39.1a-f) are a deep black color, the seventh (2023.39.1g) a rich brown color, and the eighth…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2023.39.1a-h
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Source image for Black sequin hatLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black sequin hat

1980s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black sequined hat with black ties. The structure of the hat is composed of half of a milk gallon. The surface of the hat is entirely covered with black sequins stitched to a synthetic open weave fabric. The fabric is gathered at the crown of the hat and…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.496
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black sequined bandeau hat from Mae's Millinery Shop

1941-1994

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black sequined bandeau hat attributed to Mae Reeves. The hat is wide at the center, tapering to a point at each end above the ears. The top is finished with rows of black sequins and ribbon sewn in tight rows in a swirling pattern. It is shaped with…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2010.6.159
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Costume

Black "Sex" jumpsuit owned by James Brown

1970-1989

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black wool jumpsuit with sequined embellishments along the collar and waist. The letter "J" is spelled out with five sequined beads along the front of the collar. Each shoulder has six sequined beads along the top. The word "SEX" spelled out using…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2008.7.4
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Source image for Black shawl with pink fringeLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black shawl with pink fringe

1980s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black shawl with pink fringe. The shawl is sewn in a tube-like manner with a single seam on the outside. At each end is a row of lght pink chain stitched synthetic fringe that has been handstitched into place, measuring roughly 7.5" . A small piece of…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.858
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black sheath dress with sequined net cowl by Peter Davy

1980s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black sheath dress with a sequined net cowl by Peter Davy. The sleeveless dress features a sheath silhouette with a high bateau neckline. The front panel has two diagonal bust darts, measuring 4.25" and two shaping darts (one on either side of the center…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.125
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black shift-style dress with beaded neckline by Gene Bailey

1970-1995

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

This is a black shift style dress with a beaded neckline. The dress is very slightly A-line with a slight outward flare at the hem. It is knee-length and has long sleeves. The V-neckline fastens closed in back with a loop and button. The button is black…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog A2018.88.1.8
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Costume

Black shirt worn by LaMonte McLemore of The 5th Dimension

ca. 1980

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Black shirt with full-length sleeves and pointed collar worn by LaMonte McLemore of The 5th Dimension. The shirt closes at the center front with seven (7) round black buttons rimmed in etched gold. There are two (2) of these same buttons at each cuff. The…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2013.198.3a
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black silk bodice with metallic cording and beads

late 19th century

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black silk bodice with metallic cording and beads. The bodice was originally made in the late 19th century and repaired in 1978. The bodice is made of black silk taffeta and has a self-fabric detachable high neck band collar. A band of interfacing is…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.187
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Source image for Black silk dress with crepe overlay and embroideryLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black silk dress with crepe overlay and embroidery

ca. 1914 - 1916

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black silk dress with crepe overlay and embroidered applique. The front bust is composed of two panels (right and left) of machine embroidered black floral applique that has been handstitched to a layer of black silk crepe. Each applique panel has a…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.609
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Source image for Black silk dress with pink and blue flowersLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black silk dress with pink and blue flowers

1950s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black silk twill mid length dress printed with pink and blue flowers. The dress has a wide round neckline with a two inch wide folded collar. The short sleeves have no armscye seam and are made from the same panel of fabric as the bodice of the dress. A…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.946
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Source image for Black silk taffeta blouse with back drawstringLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
blouses

Black silk taffeta blouse with back drawstring

1900s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black silk taffeta blouse with a back drawstring. The blouse features a 1" band collar made from one panel of fabric. The front of the blouse is made from two panels of fabric that are pleated at the shoulder seams. They close down the center front with…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.665
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Source image for Black silk velvet coat with white fur collar and sleevesLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black silk velvet coat with white fur collar and sleeves

1930s-1940s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black silk velvet coat with a white fur collar and sleeves. The coat has a two layer white fur collar. The back of the collar is lined with black silk satin. The long sleeves are a leg of mutton variation, the top half are made of fur, and the bottom…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.958
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Source image for Black silk velvet mantle with cordingLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
mantles

Black silk velvet mantle with cording

1880s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black silk velvet mantle with cording. The mantel (a) opens in the center front with a narrow panel sewn along the proper left side. A two inch wide collar is sewn along the neckline of the mantel and closes with two sets of metal hooks and eyes. The…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.964ab
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Source image for Black skullcap with corded triangular panelsLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black skullcap with corded triangular panels

1930s-1940s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black hat with four panels seamed together across the top in an X formation. Each panel is composed of black corded material densely arranged in a triangular pattern. There is one spot on the top of the hat where the outer material has been worn away due…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.554
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