Carved figure in the form of a caricatured porter

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 freestanding, wooden carved figure in the form of a caricatured porter. The figure has been carved from a single wooden board nailed to a circular wooden base. The porter’s uniform is painted on. He is depicted wearing a red uniform cap with a yellow band and red visor, a white dress shirt, a red jacket with a yellow band at the cuff and side pocket, and red pants with a yellow stripe running down each leg. The figure’s face has been painted solidly black, with white eyes and exaggerated wide, red lips. He has unevenly shaped eyes. The porter’s proper left hand has been painted on the torso as if held inside his pocket. The board edges are also painted and includes a painted black tie just below the figure’s chin. The porter’s carved proper right arm is held upright in front of him.

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