Rather Bright Complexion
Object Details
- Description
- A work consisting of palm oil soap cast in the shape of Nat Turner's severed head. The head is presented on an ornate silver platter, lying cheek side down. The surface of the head is smooth and slightly concave at the severed neck edge. Air bubbles in the palm oil soap can be seen throuhgout the surface and the ears are slightly lighter in color than the more solid mass of the head and neck. The platter on which the head rests is made of silverplated copper and features an elaborate scallop shell and scroll edge design with incised line drawings of scallop shells and flowers with leaf scrolls along the interior surface edge. The bottom of the platter bears marks of the Sheridan Silver company.
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Data Source
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Date
- 2022
- Object number
- 2023.2ab
- Created by
- Christopher Myers, American, born 1974
- Subject of
- Nat Turner, American, 1800 - 1831
- Restrictions & Rights
- © Christopher Myers, Courtesy of the artist and James Cohan, New York
- Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
- Type
- sculpture
- Medium
- Cast palm oil soap on a silver plate
- Dimensions
- Head: L x W: 9 × 6 1/2 in. (22.9 × 16.5 cm)
- Plate: Diameter: 18 in. (45.7 cm)
- See more items in
- National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
- Classification
- Visual Arts
- Topic
- African American
- Art
- Religion
- Slavery
- Violence
- Record ID
- nmaahc_2023.2ab
