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.

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Canasta Colgante

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

Molinillo de Café

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

Spoon

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

Paila

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

Peine

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

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