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Painting
ca. late 19th century (drawn)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Image depicting the music-hall performer George H. Chirgwin (1854-1922) in character as 'the White-Eyed Kaffir' underneath the image Chirgwin has inscribed it with a line that was probably part of his stage patter, referring to his diamond-shaped white eye make-up that is said to have developed from the day he accidentally wiped his face when made up as a black-face minstrel: 'My mother had me ready born for a waiter! Long legs and a white tie! (white tie) oh!'
G.H. Chirgwin was a talented musician who played a variety of stringed instruments and was well known for playing the 'Jap fiddle', the one-stringed instrument depicted here, named after its similarity to the Japanese instrument the kokyū. The 'Jap fiddle' was popular with street performers, music hall performers and vaudevillians in the United Kingdom and the USA in the early 20th century.
G.H. Chirgwin was a talented musician who played a variety of stringed instruments and was well known for playing the 'Jap fiddle', the one-stringed instrument depicted here, named after its similarity to the Japanese instrument the kokyū. The 'Jap fiddle' was popular with street performers, music hall performers and vaudevillians in the United Kingdom and the USA in the early 20th century.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Water-colour |
| Brief description | Image depicting the black-face music hall performer George H. Chirgwin (1854-1922) known as 'the White-Eyed Kaffir'. Inscribed by Chirgwin with a line of his patter relating to his white eye make-up: 'My mother had me ready born a waiter! Long legs and a white tie! (white eye) oh!' Watercolour and bodycolour by George Cooke. |
| Physical description | Image depicting George H. Chirgwin in character wearing his familiar high stovepipe hat, and holding the bow of the 'Jap fiddle' that's resting against his leg. Chirgwin has inscribed the image with a line of stage patter relating to his characteristic white eye make up. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | NB In South Africa the word "Kaffir" has been used as a strongly derogatory term for black Africans. The term is repeated here in its original historical context. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Image depicting the music-hall performer George H. Chirgwin (1854-1922) in character as 'the White-Eyed Kaffir' underneath the image Chirgwin has inscribed it with a line that was probably part of his stage patter, referring to his diamond-shaped white eye make-up that is said to have developed from the day he accidentally wiped his face when made up as a black-face minstrel: 'My mother had me ready born for a waiter! Long legs and a white tie! (white tie) oh!' G.H. Chirgwin was a talented musician who played a variety of stringed instruments and was well known for playing the 'Jap fiddle', the one-stringed instrument depicted here, named after its similarity to the Japanese instrument the kokyū. The 'Jap fiddle' was popular with street performers, music hall performers and vaudevillians in the United Kingdom and the USA in the early 20th century. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.1481-1986 |
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| Record created | February 17, 2010 |
| Record URL |
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