Museum object · Slavery and Freedom Objects
Braided field whip
1850s
Augusta, Georgia, United States, North and Central America
Source catalog description
This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.
A long leather snake-style whip. Singled leather braided strip with multiple leather strip tails on the end, acting as the popper. By the handle, there are two different adjacent butt knots. One closest to the handle is braided but appears to be made up of small rectangles, while the other knot has bigger braids with what appear to be diagonal rectangles. The handle is leather as well, with one line of leather lace down a side, with the tip lined on the exterior perimeter with more leather. Inside handle is a piece of metal that is capable of rotating within the handle (inherent?). The "relaxed" dimension element is dependent on how tightly the whip is wrapped. Braided leather is fraying and discoloring throughout, as well as stiffening from being curled. Leather popper tails are heavily discolored and extremely stiff. Handle is also extremely discolored, spotted throughout.
Explore Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture ↗
Sources & collection details
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗
Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13
Catalog reference: 2014.312.110
Continue exploring Series 1
Slavery, Resistance & Freedom →
Explore all Series 1 cards →