Rather Bright Complexion

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 work consisting of palm oil soap cast in the shape of Nat Turner's severed head. The head is presented on an ornate silver platter, lying cheek side down. The surface of the head is smooth and slightly concave at the severed neck edge. Air bubbles in the palm oil soap can be seen throuhgout the surface and the ears are slightly lighter in color than the more solid mass of the head and neck. The platter on which the head rests is made of silverplated copper and features an elaborate scallop shell and scroll edge design with incised line drawings of scallop shells and flowers with leaf scrolls along the interior surface edge. The bottom of the platter bears marks of the Sheridan Silver company.

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