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Maracas

American History Museum

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Object Details

Description

This pair of maracas is made from the dried, gourd-like fruit of the calabash or higüero tree. Their construction and the painted words "Puerto Rico" indicate that they were produced as souvenirs or emblems of national identity rather than as functional musical instruments.

Description (Spanish)

Este par de maracas está hecho del fruto seco, en forma de calabaza, del higüero. Su construcción, así como las palabras pintadas "Puerto Rico", indican que se confeccionaron como recuerdos o emblemas de identidad nacional, más que con el fin de ejecutarse como instrumentos musicales.

Location

Currently not on view

Credit Line

Gift of Teodoro Vidal

Date made

20th century

ID Number

1997.0097.1084

accession number

1997.0097

catalog number

1997.0097.1084

Object Name

maracas, pair

Physical Description

gourd (overall material)
metal (overall material)
wood (overall material)

Measurements

overall: 25.2 cm x 10.6 cm x 10.6 cm; 9 15/16 in x 4 3/16 in x 4 3/16 in

Place Made

Puerto Rico

See more items in

Home and Community Life: Ethnic
Music & Musical Instruments
Cultures & Communities
Vidal

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Metadata Usage

CC0

Link to Original Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a4-499c-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record ID

nmah_602453

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