Napkin Ring Set Used by Ethel L. Payne

Object Details

Date
20th century
Medium
metal, plastic
Dimensions
1 1/2 × 11/16 × 1 1/2 in. (3.8 × 1.7 × 3.8 cm) [napkin rings]
2 3/16 × 1 15/16 × 1 15/16 in. (5.5 × 5 × 5 cm) [salt and pepper shakers]
1 7/8 × 1 1/2 × 1 1/2 in. (4.7 × 3.8 × 3.8 cm) [toothpick holder]
Cite As
Ethel Lois Payne Collection, Anacostia Community Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Gift of Avis R. Johnson.
Caption
This set of dinner table accessories belonged to journalist Ethel L. Payne (1911-1991). The set includes eight napkin rings, a pair of salt and pepper shakers, and a toothpick holder. Malachite covers each lacquered piece, accented by cobalt enamel and mother-of-pearl inlay. Gold leaf lines the interiors. All sit in a satin-lined cardboard box. A Chicago native, Payne moved to Washington, DC in 1952 to cover national and international news. She reported from thirty countries over the course of her career, becoming known as the First Lady of the Black Press. While the set’s maker and country of origin are unknown, one can imagine it among the mementos that Payne collected on assignment.
Accession Number
1991.0076.0013
Type
table setting
See more items in
Anacostia Community Museum Collection
Data Source
Anacostia Community Museum
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/dl85061bc47-7abb-49be-8283-7ddb3622e08d
Record ID
acm_1991.0076.0013
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