Cat from a Ball Toss Game

Unidentified (American), Cat from a Ball Toss Game, ca. 1920, painted canvas with leather, wood and metal, 14 ¹⁄₂ x 7 ⁵⁄₈ x 6 in. (36.9 x 19.5 x 15.2 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.287

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Artwork Details

Title: Cat from a Ball Toss Game
Artist: Unidentified (American)
Date: ca. 1920
Location: Not on view
Dimensions: 14 ¹⁄₂ x 7 ⁵⁄₈ x 6 in. (36.9 x 19.5 x 15.2 cm.)
Credit Line: Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson
Mediums: wood
cotton
iron
leather
Mediums Description: painted canvas with leather, wood and metal
Classifications: Sculpture
Subjects: Animal — cat
Object Number: 1986.65.287
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1986.65.287

Artwork Description

Ball-toss games are a traditional part of carnivals and fairs. The artist designed this piece to land upright when thrown, reflecting the saying that a cat always lands on its feet. Visitors to fairgrounds won prizes by throwing a ball like this to knock down cans, pass through holes, or land within targets.