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Trade card for M. Lycett
Trade Card
18th century (made)
18th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
By the early 18th century, images of black men and women had become quite common on trade signs hanging outside shops and inns and on business cards. Portraits were known as 'Blackamoors' heads'. This example is typical of the genre. Images of black people were particularly associated with luxury imports from abroad, such as tea, coffee and chocolate, which are mentioned on this card. Tobacco and sugar, which were planted and harvested by African slaves forced to labour in Britain's American colonies and in the West Indian plantations established by Europeans, also often feature on similar cards.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Trade card for M. Lycett (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Engraving |
| Brief description | Trade card for a grocer, M. Lycett, giving the address as 'At the Blackmoors Head in Tyler Street, near Major Fouberts Passage, Carnaby Market, LONDON'. Britain, 18th century. |
| Physical description | Trade card for a grocer specialising in selling tea and coffee in London depicting a bust portrait of partially nude black woman wearing earrings and a necklace in a frame at the top of the card. |
| Dimensions | 1/4 Imperal portrait |
| Marks and inscriptions | M:Lycett / AT THE / Blackmoors Head in Tyler Street, / near Major Fouberts Passage, / Carnaby Market, / LONDON. / Sells all sorts of fine Teas, / Coffee, Chocolate. |
| Object history | NB. While the term 'blackamoor' has been used in this record, it has since fallen from usage and is now considered discriminatory. Historically, “Blackamoor” imagery contributed to negative stereotyping of black people. The term is repeated in this record in its original historical context. Furthermore the woman's garment is fashioned to reveal her breasts in an example of hyper-sexualisation which can also be interpreted as further racial stereotyping in the depiction of Black women. |
| Summary | By the early 18th century, images of black men and women had become quite common on trade signs hanging outside shops and inns and on business cards. Portraits were known as 'Blackamoors' heads'. This example is typical of the genre. Images of black people were particularly associated with luxury imports from abroad, such as tea, coffee and chocolate, which are mentioned on this card. Tobacco and sugar, which were planted and harvested by African slaves forced to labour in Britain's American colonies and in the West Indian plantations established by Europeans, also often feature on similar cards. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 12851:11 |
About this object record
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| Record created | November 12, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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