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 6 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
Fuelle
- Description
- A bellows is a device for pumping air to get a fire started and to make it hotter. This handmade bellows was collected from the Joyería Bairan, a jeweler's shop on Calle Fortaleza in San Juan. This jewelry store produced many silver ex-votos, probably using this bellows in the process.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- mid 20th century
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0517
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0517
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Barber's Tools
- Description
- This barber's kit included a pair of scissors, a manual clipper, straight razors, and a brush. Barbering has long been an independent, respectable way to earn a living. These tools belonged to an itinerant barber in Puerto Rico. In the 1930s and 1940s, la zafra, the sugar harvest, brought younger men, women, and families from the rural highlands and the urban coastal regions together. Itinerant barbers followed the sugar harvest, earning a significant part of their income.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- early 20th century
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0835.001
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0835.001
- 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
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
Wood Planer
- Description
- This carpenter's wood planer was bought from Juan Camarón, a cabinet maker from Barrio Obrero in San Juan. It was made by another cabinet maker many years earlier. The objects collected by Teodoro Vidal illustrate many aspects of labor and production in Puerto Rico.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 20th century
- user
- Camaron, Juan
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.1190
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.1190
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center