Collection Highlights
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
1805
1867.306
Oil on linen
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Museum Collections
Historical Artifacts
Aunt Louisa's Cube Puzzles: Ethiopian Minstrels
Title
Aunt Louisa's Cube Puzzles: Ethiopian Minstrels
Object name
Puzzle blocks
Date
ca. 1888
Medium
Wood; paper
Dimensions
Overall: 11 3/4 x 10 x 2 3/4 in. ( 29.8 x 25.4 x 7 cm )
Description
"Aunt Louisa's Cube Puzzles: Ethiopian Minstrels" puzzle blocks in a wooden box with sliding lid; chromolithograph on lid with image of caricatured African-American figures in graveyard with printed inscription "AUNT LOUISA'S CUBE PUZZLES / ETHIOPIAN MINSTRELS. / McLoughlin Bros., N.Y."; box contains 30 wooden blocks, each side lithographed with a different scene of minstrel figures; five loose chromolithographs provide keys to the completed puzzles (the sixth puzzle is illustrated on the cover).
Credit Line
Gift of Anonymous
Object Number
2003.5
Gallery Label
Games such as this reflected the pervasive racial prejudice common in late nineteenth-century America. Perpetrated with humorous intent, these games unfortunately helped to reinforce and sustain deeply-entrenched racial stereotypes.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
