Teodoro Vidal Collection of Puerto Rican History - Introduction
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.
"Teodoro Vidal Collection of Puerto Rican History - Introduction" showing 81 items.
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Tile from La Fortaleza
- Description
- This tile is from La Fortaleza, a military and government complex in San Juan built to defend the city from naval attacks. Construction began in 1533 and was finished in 1540. This tile resembles the Spanish ceramic style of Talavera, a tile factory established in the 16th century near the city of Toledo, Spain. The tiles produced in Spain became widely used and copied throughout the Spanish colonies.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 18th century
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0142
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0142
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Cuello de Encaje
- Description
- In Puerto Rico, the traditional center of lace making is the town of Moca. There, lace is made by hand on bobbins and is known as mundillo. Bobbin lace is a complicated process of weaving together different spools of thread held in place by pins. Lace making today is undergoing a resurgence of popularity among a new generation of lace makers on and off the island.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 20th century
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0156
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0156
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Funda de Almohada
- Description
- Lace-making and sewing were more than utilitarian projects. They allowed young girls to express themselves artistically while learning discipline and attention to detail. This embroidered linen and lace pillow sham belonged to Miguel Roses at the turn of the 20th century. Bird and flower designs surround the monogram in the center.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 20th century
- user
- Rosas, Miguel
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0158
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0158
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
The All-Powerful Hand
- Description
- The ancient symbol of a protective hand is common to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. This figure, the Mano Poderosa or All-Powerful Hand, from the late 1800s, is a specifically Catholic version of its Roman predecessor. The five small figures atop the fingers are: Baby Jesus on the thumb; St. Joseph on the index finger; the Virgin Mary on the middle finger; St. Joachim (Mary's father) on the fourth finger; and St. Anne (Mary's mother) on the pinkie.
- Date made
- late 19th century
- maker
- Caban Group
- Caban Group
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0225
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0225
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Piene de Mujer
- Description
- This tortoiseshell woman's hair comb dates from the 19th century. A precursor to plastics, tortoiseshell and horn were common materials used in combs since they could be made soft and moldable by heating. As they cooled, they would harden and keep their new shape.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 19th century
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0305.001
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0305.001
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Sewing Kit
- 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.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 20th century
- early 20th century
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0593.001
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0593.001
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Naipes
- Description
- These hand-painted playing cards or naipes are from the 19th century. Most playing cards used in Puerto Rico and the rest of Latin America were imported from Spain and were used for both gaming and fortune-telling. They differ in both number and suits from the standard card decks used in North America.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 19th century
- publisher
- Fournier, Heralio
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0600
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0600
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Trinchante y Hacha
- Description
- This hatchet and knife from the Hormigueros region were used in carving santos. The hatchet is 16 cm. long, and the handle is made of the native guayalote wood and has a hole pierced near the end. The knife has a 9 cm. wooden handle carved into a spiral shape.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 20th century
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0324
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0324
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Amuleto en Forma de Espada
- Description
- This 20th century protective amulet takes the form of a sword. Amulets like this are worn with the belief that they ward off evil, danger, or bad luck, and provide strength and reassurance to the wearer.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 20th century
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0325
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0325
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Plato de Madera
- 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.
- 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
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
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