Ashtray in the form of a “picaninny” boy eating a watermelon slice

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 ashtray in the form of a “picaninny” boy eating a watermelon slice. The boy is in a seated position, with his bare feet holding the ashtray between his legs. He has curly black hair and is wearing a yellow shirt with red short pants. His lips are painted red and his teeth white. His chin is resting on a slice of watermelon that he is holding in both hands. The exterior rim of the ashtray is green, the top rim yellow and the interior red. Engraved lettering on the back reads [© / GU 18240]. The base of the ashtray is unfinished white ceramic.

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