Created by:

John Joseph Lafar, American, 1784 - 1849  Search this

Medium:

metal

Dimensions:

H x W: 2 1/8 × 2 1/16 in. (5.4 × 5.2 cm)

Type:

slave hire badges

Place used:

Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America

Date:

1828

Description:

This is a square metal slave badge with clipped corners. On the recto is text that reads ”CHARLESTON [stamped]” across the top. Under that is “1828 [stamped] / SERVANT [stamped] / No. [stamped] 918 [punched].” On the verso is a stamped cartouche with the maker's name “LAFAR.” There is a hole punched at the center top with a break in the metal from the hole to the top edge.

Topic:

African American  Search this

Labor  Search this

Skilled labor  Search this

Slave hire system  Search this

Slavery  Search this

Credit Line:

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Partial Gift of Harry S. Hutchins, Jr. DDS, Col. (Ret.) and his Family, dedicated to the individuals these Slave Hire Badges represent and their descendants

Object number:

2022.5.54

Restrictions & Rights:

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

See more items in:

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title:

Charleston Slave Hire Badge Collection

Classification:

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Data Source:

National Museum of African American History and Culture

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5a878fc77-bd04-4141-a46c-9c796fe77136

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:nmaahc_2022.5.54