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 7 items.
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
Santiago Matamoros
- Description
- This wooden santo represents Santiago Matamoros, or St. James the Moor Slayer. It was made by the Ramos family from the town of Aguada. Santiago Matamoros is the patron saint of Spain and provided spiritual inspiration for the Christian re-conquest of Iberia and the subsequent expulsion of Jews and Muslims. The legacy of this conflict between Christians and Muslims in Spain was transplanted to the Americas.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1850-1904
- maker
- Ramos, Pepe
- Ramos, Justina
- Ramos, Jose
- Ramos, Justina Torres de
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0650
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0650
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
San José
- Description
- This figure of St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ and husband of Mary, dates from the 19th century and was made by a member or associate of the Espada family in the town of San Germán.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 19th century
- maker
- Espada Group
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0741
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0741
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
San Juan Nepomuceno
- Description
- This large santo depicts St. John Nepomucene, a 14th-century martyr who is considered by Catholics to be the patron saint of confession. His image was widely circulated by Jesuits throughout the Spanish empire in the 18th century. The Church promoted devotion to this saint since it encouraged Catholics to confess their sins in the presence of a priest, a ritual known as the Sacrament of Penance. This santo is believed to be the work of Felipe de la Espada (1754–1818).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1754-1818-06-18
- maker
- Espada, Felipe de la
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0901
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0901
- 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
Pandereta
- Description
- This large, hand-held drum, known in Puerto Rico as a pandereta, is an essential instrument in the musical genre known as plena. The plena was developed by agricultural workers at the end of the 19th century on the southern coast of the island, around the city of Ponce. Considered a national musical genre throughout the 20th century, the plena may have originally reflected musical traditions brought to Puerto Rico by immigrants from other Caribbean islands. This example is from the city of Mayagüez.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 20th century
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.1083
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.1083
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Spoon
- 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.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- late 19th century
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.1159
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.1159
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center