Teodoro Vidal Collection of Puerto Rican History

Explore Puerto Rico’s history, from the 16th to the 20th centuries, through the eyes of collector Teodoro Vidal. Vidal captured the island’s history by collecting thousands of objects. Over 80 artifacts are featured here.

This papier-mâché mask was made by Miguel Caraballo in 1985.
Description
This papier-mâché mask was made by Miguel Caraballo in 1985. Masks like this are typically worn by young men from the neighborhood, who don the costume of a vejigante , a character who roams the streets during Carnival, playfully scaring children and other revelers, and swatting them with vejigas (balloon-like, inflated animal bladders).
Description (Spanish)
Esta máscara de papel maché fue confeccionada por Miguel Caraballo en 1985.
Para la época del carnaval, los jóvenes del barrio acostumbran disfrazarse de vejigantes con máscaras como ésta y salen a deambular por las calles asustando a los niños y concurrentes a la fiesta, dándoles palmadas con sus vejigas (vejigas de animales infladas como globos y puestas a secar).
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1985
maker
Caraballo, Miguel Angel
ID Number
1997.0097.0002
accession number
1997.0097
catalog number
1997.0097.0002
Mask maker Antonio Muñiz has added the horns of a traditional carnaval de Ponce mask (usually representing a devilish face) to a gorilla.
Description
Mask maker Antonio Muñiz has added the horns of a traditional carnaval de Ponce mask (usually representing a devilish face) to a gorilla. This papier-mâché mask has an articulated jaw and a vinyl tongue.
Description (Spanish)
El artesano Antonio Muñiz creó esta máscara agregándole a un gorila los cuernos de una máscara tradicional del carnaval de Ponce (las que por lo general representan un rostro diabólico). Esta máscara de papel maché cuenta con una mandíbula articulada y una lengua de vinilo.
Collection Ethnic
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1980
maker
Muniz, Antonio
ID Number
1997.0097.0009
accession number
1997.0097
catalog number
1997.0097.0009
Although introduced by Spanish settlers, the island's carnival celebrations, like mask making, music, and public performance, have developed into uniquely Puerto Rican traditions that also reflect the customs and sensibilities of Puerto Ricans' African ancestors.
Description
Although introduced by Spanish settlers, the island's carnival celebrations, like mask making, music, and public performance, have developed into uniquely Puerto Rican traditions that also reflect the customs and sensibilities of Puerto Ricans' African ancestors. This carnival mask pictured here was made by Félix Vázquez. Its comical eyelashes are complimented by a set of teeth that once belonged to a horse or donkey.
Description (Spanish)
Si bien los colonos españoles fueron quienes introdujeron en la isla las celebraciones del carnaval, tales como la fabricación de máscaras, la música y las representaciones públicas, en la isla se desarrollaron tradiciones exclusivamente puertorriqueñas que reflejan las costumbres y sentimientos de sus ancestros africanos. La Máscara de Carnaval que aquí se ilustra es una obra de Félix Vázquez, en la cual sus cómicas pestañas se complementan con un conjunto de dientes que alguna vez pertenecieran a un caballo o burro.
Date made
20th century
maker
Vazquez, Felix A.
ID Number
1997.0097.0012
accession number
1997.0097
catalog number
1997.0097.0012
The yo-yo maraca is a Puerto Rican novelty that unites both a spinning top and a musical instrument of native origin called a maraca.
Description
The yo-yo maraca is a Puerto Rican novelty that unites both a spinning top and a musical instrument of native origin called a maraca. The name "yo-yo" is a misnomer, since the toy functions like a spinning top.
Description (Spanish)
La maraca yoyó es una novedad puertorriqueña en la que se observa la unión de un trompo con un instrumento musical de origen nativo, denominado maraca. Yoyó, sin embargo es un término erróneo, dado que el juguete funciona como trompo.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
late 20th century
maker
Matias, Artesania
Matias, Fernando
ID Number
1997.0097.1134
accession number
1997.0097
catalog number
1997.0097.1134
Carnival celebrations featuring performers dressed as devils are found across Puerto Rico and throughout Latin America. The presence of these characters during Carnival is understood by many as an ancient reference to the contest between good and evil.
Description
Carnival celebrations featuring performers dressed as devils are found across Puerto Rico and throughout Latin America. The presence of these characters during Carnival is understood by many as an ancient reference to the contest between good and evil. This devilish mask shows the characteristic style of its maker, Leonardo Pagán. Born in 1929, Pagán was the student of a renowned mask maker, Juan Careta, who worked from the 1890s until the 1950s. After his mentor's death, Pagán masks became highly prized. Pagán died in 2000.
Description (Spanish)
Las celebraciones de carnaval durante las cuales se observan individuos disfrazados de diablos son comunes en Puerto Rico y el resto de América Latina. Muchos interpretan la presencia de estos personajes durante el Carnaval como una antigua referencia a la contienda entre el bien y el mal. Esta máscara diabólica representa el estilo característico de su creador, Leonardo Pagán. Nacido en 1929, Pagán fue estudiante del renombrado artesano de máscaras, Juan Careta, cuyo trabajo se extendió desde la década de 1890 hasta la de 1950. Luego de la muerte de su mentor, las máscaras de Pagán se volvieron muy preciadas. Pagán falleció en el año 2000.
Date made
1997-04
maker
Pagan, Leonardo
ID Number
1997.0097.1215
catalog number
1997.0097.1215
accession number
1997.0097
Into the 20th century, many considered sewing an integral part of the education of all young girls, who used needlework samplers like this one to learn and master patterns and stitches.
Description
Into the 20th century, many considered sewing an integral part of the education of all young girls, who used needlework samplers like this one to learn and master patterns and stitches. Needlework and the skilled handling of a sewing machine helped many women to support their families. Clara Rivera sewed this sampler in the city of Ponce in 1934, combining text with geometric and floral designs.
Description (Spanish)
Durante el siglo XX, la costura se consideraba parte integral de la educación de las niñas, quienes utilizaban dechados como éste para practicar nuevos diseños y puntos. La costura y la destreza en las máquinas de coser permitieron a muchas mujeres contribuir con el sustento de sus familias. Clara Rivera cosió su dechado en la ciudad de Ponce en 1934, combinando texto, diseños geométricos y florales.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1934
maker
Rivera, Clara
ID Number
1997.0097.1227.009
accession number
1997.0097
catalog number
1997.0097.1227.009

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