Neckerchief worn by Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave

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.

This neckerchief was worn by Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup in the film 12 Years a Slave (2013). The neckerchief is merely a strip of printed cotton cloth with all of the edges cut raw and slightly unraveled. The fabric has a design of medium scale brown floral clusters and dark green vines on a pale green ground. The fabric is purposefully wrinkled and creased, shaped to be draped around the neck similar to a proper scarf or neckerchief.

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