Teodoro Vidal Collection of Puerto Rican History - About the Collection
In 1992, curator Marvette Pérez contacted Puerto Rican collector Teodoro Vidal Santoni after learning that he was interested in donating his extensive collection of Puerto Rican material culture. In 1997, after several visits and conversations over the course of five years, Mr. Vidal agreed to donate his entire collection to the National Museum of American History. This became one of the largest gifts by an individual to the Museum. One of the most important collections of Puerto Rican material culture in the world, it consists of more than 3,200 objects which date from the 17th to the 20th centuries.
"Teodoro Vidal Collection of Puerto Rican History - About the Collection" showing 25 items.
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Dita
- 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.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 20th century
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0882
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0882
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Ladle
- 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."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- mid 20th century
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0955
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0955
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Cantimplora
- Description
- This contemporary coconut canteen demonstrates dynamic craftsmanship using a variety of materials. The main body is made from a polished coconut incised with geometric designs. It is carried in a metal frame with a wooden handle and sealed with a plastic and cork stopper.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 20th century
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0956
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0956
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Canasta Colgante
- 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.
- 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
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Mourning Fan
- Description
- This collapsible woman's fan, made from wood and cloth, is painted black to show that the user was in mourning. In the 1800s, regardless of class, most people with families died at home, not in hospitals. There, the deceased would be laid out in a room for friends and relatives to view the body and pay their respects. Family and friends then carried the coffin to the church and to burial.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- late 19th-early 20th century
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.1037
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.1037
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Oil lamp
- 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.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- ca 1959
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.1067
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.1067
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Carpenter's Tools
- Description
- Pictured here are a carpenter's hammer and square. Carpentry was considered both skilled and semi-skilled labor. Many carpenters worked independently and traveled the countryside looking for work opportunities.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 20th century
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.1130
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.1130
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Molinillo de Café
- 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.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- late 19th century
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.1132
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.1132
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Tobacco Stand
- 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.
- 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
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Paila
- Description
- This metal pot, used for making guava paste and other sweets at home, was acquired in Rio Piedras in 1953.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 20th century
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.1177
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.1177
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center