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Museum object · Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor

String holder in the form of “Mammy”

ca. 1920-1930s

Smithsonian NMAAHC collection

COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
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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 ceramic string holder in the form of "Mammy." The holder is painted and glazed. “Mammy” is depicted wearing a red kerchief and cream colored dress with green vertical and red horizontal stripes. Her hands are clasped in front of her waist. A circular hole, the string dispenser, in the center of her chest just above hands. The back of the string holder is unpainted ceramic with an open cavity in the center. The inside of the cavity is painted cream and glazed. There is an oval-shaped hole in the top of the back, under where the red kerchief is painted. A keyhole shaped piece of ceramic is adhered inside at the head. Lettering along the bottom edge of the back reads [U.S.A. / S. Co.

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: 2007.7.41

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