Skip to content

Museum object · Slavery and Freedom Objects

Butchering stick

mid 19th-mid 20th century

Smithsonian NMAAHC collection

COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
Visit the source record ↗

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 butchering stick. The medium brown wooden stick is carved from a single piece of wood. It has an elongated, narrow, rounded shaft that tapers to blunt, carved points. At one end of the stick is an embedded flat head nail. A white paper sticker with black handwritten text adhered near the center of the stick reads [BUTCHERING STICK]. A small white accretion is also near the center of the stick.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2017.108.23.8

Continue exploring Series 1

Slavery, Resistance & Freedom →Everyday Life & Community →

Explore all Series 1 cards →