NATIONAL-MILITARY-HOME-OHIO

Media - 1986.65.336A-B - SAAM-1986.65.336A-B_1 - 9974
Copied Unidentified, NATIONAL-MILITARY-HOME-OHIO, ca. 1900, carved and painted wood, glass beads, and brass tacks, 11 5⁄8 x 6 1⁄2 x 6 7⁄8 in. (29.6 x 16.5 x 17.5 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.336A-B
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Artwork Details

Title
NATIONAL-MILITARY-HOME-OHIO
Artist
Unidentified
Date
ca. 1900
Location
Dimensions
11 5⁄8 x 6 1⁄2 x 6 7⁄8 in. (29.6 x 16.5 x 17.5 cm.)
Markings
underside of base carved: AG back of neck in red paint: (illegible) GEO. JR. bottom of base carved: NATIONAL-MILITARY-HOME-OHIO front of turban around lower edge on shield carved: ALAH-II-ALAH
Credit Line
Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved and painted wood, glass beads, and brass tacks
Classifications
Keywords
  • Figure
  • Dress — accessory — hat
  • Figure male — head
  • Animal — reptile — snake
  • Arabian
  • Emblem
Object Number
1986.65.336A-B
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1986.65.336A-B

Artwork Description

An unknown artist in the National Military Home in Dayton, Ohio, created this piece. The facility, established in the 1860s, housed several thousand military veterans, who occupied their time with painting and wood carving. The figure appears to be Middle Eastern. The phrase on his turban, Alah Il Alah (correctly spelled Allah Il Allah), meaning “God is God,” is from a Muslim prayer, but this gives us no clue as to why the artist chose this image.