The woman was moving as masterfully as the men, leaning forward and tapping backwards in steps that had long defined a tradition of dance for African American men. As I sat there watching her in the “Cotton Club…
Tag: black women
I cannot recall my grandmother ever going to church with a bare head. She always wore a nice simple hat. I can still see her getting ready for Sunday services at our family church and…
Vintage human hair pieces
Posted in Style
The sandy-colored braid and hair piece on the auction table seemed like an anachronism. It was in its original box and on the inside top was written: Mdme. Pauline Kohlerman Manufacturer & Importer of Human…
New looks for old fabric
Posted in Sewing
I saw the pieces of fabric peeking out from the box on an outside table at auction this week and recognized them immediately. Quilting scraps. In a box next to it was another project I…
Buxomy black female figurines
Posted in Art
I was previewing photos of an upcoming auction earlier this week when I spotted them. They were figurines of black women, 13 of them, dressed in brightly colored bathing suits, church suits and night-out-on-the-town outfits. Whoa! I…
Earlier this week, I wrote a post about stereotypical images of black children that I come across at auctions. I complimented Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” for its positive portrayal of a black girl…
Long road to a black (Disney) Princess
Posted in Art, and Ephemera/Paper/Documents
The black woman standing before us was agitated. Did you see that picture on the wall over there, she asked my auction buddy Janet and me. Janet had seen it. I hadn’t. I always miss…
Every now and then, I find packed among a $2 lot of glassware some interesting souvenir or collector’s plates. The ones inscribed with lovely scenes that are meant for display, not for food. I’ve picked up plates of…
Black Americana shelf sitter
Posted in Crafts
I was on my way to look over some vintage items in the cases at one of my favorite auction houses recently when one of the auctioneers stopped me. We have a nice old African…