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.

Chickens are a familiar decorative theme in household objects. This contemporary chicken-shaped botijo, or water jug is made of terra cotta with a removable stopper in the form of a chicken head.Las gallinas constituyen un tema de decoración popular en los objetos domésticos.
Description
Chickens are a familiar decorative theme in household objects. This contemporary chicken-shaped botijo, or water jug is made of terra cotta with a removable stopper in the form of a chicken head.
Description (Spanish)
Las gallinas constituyen un tema de decoración popular en los objetos domésticos. Este botijo contemporáneo con forma de gallina está hecho de terracota y tiene un tapón desmontable que representa la cabeza del animal.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1980
ID Number
1997.0097.0082
catalog number
1997.0097.0082
accession number
1997.0097
This mortar and pestle were used to grind coffee beans after they were dried and roasted. Coffee was a major cash crop in Puerto Rico, second only to sugar. It grows well in the low mountains of the island, like the fertile area around the town of Yauco in the southwest.
Description
This mortar and pestle were used to grind coffee beans after they were dried and roasted. Coffee was a major cash crop in Puerto Rico, second only to sugar. It grows well in the low mountains of the island, like the fertile area around the town of Yauco in the southwest. In the 19th century many Corsicans settled in this region and played a significant role in developing the island's coffee economy, both as growers and exporters.
Description (Spanish)
El pilón se usaba para machacar los granos de café una vez secos y tostados. El café constituía un cultivo comercial de gran relevancia en Puerto Rico, el segundo en importancia después del azúcar. Se da bien en las montañas bajas de la isla, como por ejemplo en la zona fértil alrededor de la ciudad de Yauco, en el sudoeste. Durante el siglo XIX se establecieron en esta región muchos colonos oriundos de Córcega, quienes desempeñaron un papel esencial en el desarrollo de la economía de la isla en torno al café, impulsando tanto la producción como la exportación.
Date made
ca 1970
ID Number
1997.0097.0129
catalog number
1997.0097.0129
accession number
1997.0097
Both on the island and in "the States," many working women found jobs in textile mills and garment factories to support themselves and add to their family incomes.
Description
Both on the island and in "the States," many working women found jobs in textile mills and garment factories to support themselves and add to their family incomes. Poorer women took in piecework at home, and were often involved in the labor-intensive production of handmade garments that only the wealthy could afford. Needlework of all kinds-knitting, crocheting, and embroidery-and the use of sewing machines were seen as a material way for a young girl to help support her family.
Description (Spanish)
Tanto en la isla como en "los Estados", muchas mujeres buscaban trabajo en las industrias textiles y fábricas de indumentaria a fin de contribuir con su propio sustento y el de sus familias. Las mujeres más pobres se llevaban el trabajo a la casa y a menudo formaban parte de la mano de obra intensiva que requería la producción de vestimenta hecha a mano, la cual sólo los ricos podían costear. Todo tipo de costura -tejido, crochet y bordado- se consideraba como un modo material mediante el que una joven podía colaborar con el sustento de la familia.
Date made
20th century
early 20th century
ID Number
1997.0097.0593.001
catalog number
1997.0097.0593.001
accession number
1997.0097
Carved from a single piece of wood, this large and oblong shallow wood platter was probably used for drying coffee or serving sweets in the early 20th century.Este gran plato de madera oblongo y llano, tallado de una sola pieza, se empleaba probablemente para secar café o servir
Description
Carved from a single piece of wood, this large and oblong shallow wood platter was probably used for drying coffee or serving sweets in the early 20th century.
Description (Spanish)
Este gran plato de madera oblongo y llano, tallado de una sola pieza, se empleaba probablemente para secar café o servir dulces al comienzo del siglo XX.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
20th century
early 20th century
ID Number
1997.0097.0357
catalog number
1997.0097.0357
accession number
1997.0097
This elaborately carved oblong bowl is made from the gourd-like fruit of a calabash tree called the higüero.
Description
This elaborately carved oblong bowl is made from the gourd-like fruit of a calabash tree called the higüero. This common material was used in the construction of different types of domestic items, especially in rural areas.
Description (Spanish)
Esta vasija apaisada de elaborado tallado está hecha con el fruto del higüero. Este material se utilizaba comúnmente para la confección de diferentes tipos de utensilios domésticos, especialmente en las áreas rurales. En Puerto Rico, utensilios de este material se denominan ditas.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
20th century
ID Number
1997.0097.0882
catalog number
1997.0097.0882
accession number
1997.0097
This cucharón, or ladle, is constructed from a gourd bowl with wood handle. Teodoro Vidal went to great lengths to research and document the objects that he collected.
Description
This cucharón, or ladle, is constructed from a gourd bowl with wood handle. Teodoro Vidal went to great lengths to research and document the objects that he collected. The notes written by him upon acquiring this ladle read, "Hataca, or Jataca (word of Indian origin), large spoon or vessel made of gourd. Often used to get water from the tinajero (water filter). This one was acquired in 1958 in the town of Anasco."
Description (Spanish)
Este cucharón está hecho de una vasija de calabaza con mango de madera. Teodoro Vidal invirtió gran esfuerzo en la investigación y documentación de los objetos de su colección. Las notas que escribió en oportunidad de la compra de este objeto decían "Hataca, o Jataca (palabra de origen indígena), cuchara grande o vasija hecha de calabaza. A menudo empleada para recoger agua del tinajero (recipiente para filtrar el agua). Este objeto fue adquirido en 1958 en el pueblo de Anasco".
Date made
mid 20th century
ID Number
1997.0097.0955
catalog number
1997.0097.0955
accession number
1997.0097
This basket was bought in Luquillo in 1979. The hanging supports are made of bejuco, processed fiber from the century plant, or maguey. A large metal disk was placed around the top to keep rodents from crawling into it from above.
Description
This basket was bought in Luquillo in 1979. The hanging supports are made of bejuco, processed fiber from the century plant, or maguey. A large metal disk was placed around the top to keep rodents from crawling into it from above. Widely used in rural kitchens, it is called a canestillo in the center of the island and a barandillo in the north.
Description (Spanish)
Esta canasta colgante fue adquirida en Luquillo en 1979. Los soportes están hechos de bejuco, fibra procesada del maguey. Se colocó un disco de metal grande alrededor de la parte superior para evitar que se introdujeran los roedores. Se utiliza mucho en las cocinas rurales y se la conoce como canestillo en el centro de la isla y como barandillo en el norte.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
20th century
ca 1979
ID Number
1997.0097.1012
catalog number
1997.0097.1012
accession number
1997.0097
This red painted tinware oil lamp was acquired in the town of Lares in 1959. Popular lore says that small oil lamps like this were used by women to meet at night and gossip.
Description
This red painted tinware oil lamp was acquired in the town of Lares in 1959. Popular lore says that small oil lamps like this were used by women to meet at night and gossip. Chisme, means gossip, therefore the lamp was named a chismosa, or gossiper.
Description (Spanish)
Esta lámpara de aceite de latón fue adquirida en la ciudad de Lares en 1959. Es la creencia popular que lámparas pequeñas como estas eran usadas por mujeres que se reunían por la noche a chismear. Por esta razón este tipo de lámparas se llaman chismosas.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1959
ID Number
1997.0097.1067
accession number
1997.0097
catalog number
1997.0097.1067
This manual coffee grinder from the late 1800s is a mechanized replacement for the mortar and pestle.
Description
This manual coffee grinder from the late 1800s is a mechanized replacement for the mortar and pestle. The covered grinding receptacle empties the ground beans into a wooden box in its base.
Description (Spanish)
Este molinillo de café manual data de fines del siglo XIX y representa el sustituto mecanizado del mortero con mano. Los granos se muelen en el receptáculo cubierto, desde donde se vierten a una caja de madera en la base.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
late 19th century
ID Number
1997.0097.1132
accession number
1997.0097
catalog number
1997.0097.1132
Teodoro Vidal acquired this smart-looking smoking stand near Mayagüez, on the western shore of the island.
Description
Teodoro Vidal acquired this smart-looking smoking stand near Mayagüez, on the western shore of the island. It was made from local wood at the turn of the 20th century and has three separate containers, possibly for matches, cigarettes, and snuff, as well as space for an ash tray.
Description (Spanish)
Teodoro Vidal adquirió esta elegante mesita de tabaco cerca de Mayagüez, en la costa oeste de la isla. Fue fabricado a fines del siglo XX con madera nativa y tiene tres compartimientos, posiblemente para cerillas, cigarrillos y tabaco, junto con un espacio para cenicero.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
late 19th-early 20th century
ID Number
1997.0097.1145
accession number
1997.0097
catalog number
1997.0097.1145
This coconut shell spoon has the carved inscription "JMR 14." It is an example of a typical eating utensil in rural Puerto Rico during the 19th century.
Description
This coconut shell spoon has the carved inscription "JMR 14." It is an example of a typical eating utensil in rural Puerto Rico during the 19th century. Spoons like these were often hung in a row in the kitchen, one for each member of the family.
Description (Spanish)
Esta cuchara de cáscara de coco lleva una inscripción tallada que dice "JMR 14". Es un ejemplo de utensilio para comer típico de las áreas rurales de Puerto Rico durante el siglo XIX. Por lo general, estas cucharas se colgaban en la cocina, en fila, habiendo una para cada miembro de la familia.
Date made
late 19th century
ID Number
1997.0097.1159
accession number
1997.0097
catalog number
1997.0097.1159
This metal pot, used for making guava paste and other sweets at home, was acquired in Rio Piedras in 1953.Esta olla de metal, empleada para preparar pasta de guayaba y otros dulces caseros, fue adquirida en Río Piedras en 1953.Currently not on view
Description
This metal pot, used for making guava paste and other sweets at home, was acquired in Rio Piedras in 1953.
Description (Spanish)
Esta olla de metal, empleada para preparar pasta de guayaba y otros dulces caseros, fue adquirida en Río Piedras en 1953.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
20th century
ID Number
1997.0097.1177
accession number
1997.0097
catalog number
1997.0097.1177
This whimsical example of a hand-made tortoiseshell comb, may be in the shape of a whale.Este es un caprichoso ejemplo de peine hecho a mano con caparazón de tortuga, probablemente en forma de ballena.Currently not on view
Description
This whimsical example of a hand-made tortoiseshell comb, may be in the shape of a whale.
Description (Spanish)
Este es un caprichoso ejemplo de peine hecho a mano con caparazón de tortuga, probablemente en forma de ballena.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
late 19th-early 20th century
ID Number
1997.0097.0289.006
accession number
1997.0097
catalog number
1997.0097.0289.006

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.