Zwarte Piet Cards (The Bogeyman)

TBAFB0049

Zwarte Piet Cards (The Bogeyman)

Rectangular cardboard box containing 23 playing cards. The top of the box displays the figure of Zwarte Piet dressed in ragged clothes, a top hat, and slippers, presumably in the style of a 19th century chimney-sweep. He holds a sweeping broom in his right hand and a ladder in his left, with rope wrapped around his shoulder. Attached to his belt is a ball and chain, signifying his limited freedom as an individual; perhaps, either conveying the theme of slavery or even the idea he could be a convicted escapee. Below this image are the French words "Le Père Fouettard" translating to "The Bogeyman". Each card in the playing set illustrates a different figure or characters from European fables that are meant to be matched up with their corrosponding characters.

Diabolo

Cardboard Box

Facing Blackness is a multimedia exhibition that takes the public through the obscure history of portraying Black people from the colonial period to contemporary society. Using unique archive material and visual art, we show how anti-black racism became part of the Dutch 'cultural archive' and our everyday ideas, customs and utensils. On the other hand, the exhibition shows how there has always been 'everyday resistance' to various forms of racism and how Black people themselves have given and continue to give meaning to their culture and identity.

The Black Archives

Playing Cards

Zwarte Piet, Père Fouettard, Black Caricature

Ladder, Top Hat, Ball & Chain, Shoes, Rope, Belt, Toy Soldier, Donkey, Coins, Blanket, Cloud, Stars, Dress, Cat, Medal, Puss, Boots, Cane, Wind-Mill, Rose, Throne, Crown, Teddy Bear, Pillows, Fez, Trousers, Chair, Nightgown, Sack, Stick, Cog, Church, Snow, Sausage, Tree, Tent, Candle, Sword, Cape, Potatos, Table, Bell, Broom, Bords, Wall, Fire, Smoke, Finger Nails, Cottege, Scarf, Wickerbasket, Wolf, Bouquet, Wine, Sun, Tulips, Moon, Sheep, Snowman, Mushroom, Rabbit, Snail

c.1964

8x11x3

Belgium?

Wallonia?

Card Game, Blackface, Games, Children, Myths, Fables, Boogeyman, Zwarte Piet

Diabolo

Diabolo

Richard Weaver

https://www.lastdodo.nl/nl/items/3464243-zwarte-piet; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C3%A8re_Fouettard