#museum week

This terracotta die comes from the ancient city of Mohenjo-Daro, one of the first urban centres in human history.

Gaming with dice has been a popular pastime in India for millennia, with this object dating back to 2500–1900 BC. Dicing is also mentioned as an Indian game in Rig and Atharva Vedas (two of the four sacred Vedic scriptures).⁣

Interestingly, 'games of throwing dice' were also included on the Buddhist games list - a list of games the Gautama Buddha is reputed to have said that he would not play on the grounds that they were 'cause for negligence'. 

⁣See this object on display in Gallery 12⁣ ⁣⠀

It’s day 4 of #MuseumWeek 2019 and things are looking bright! Today’s theme is #RainbowMW and our #FashionStatement exhibit is perfect for sharing. You’ll find a true rainbow of clothing that all says something about their owners.

We’re also thrilled that Fashion Statement has LGBTQ+ representation, like this kippah, on view in the exhibit, was made by Jan Guttman in the pattern of a trans flag to honor her child’s “first 5 years of living zir life authentically.” 

I think Walter Crane must have eaten something funny when writing Legends for Lionel (Cassell & Company, Ltd. Melbourne, 1887).

For #StoriesMW, we’re sharing the tale of Betty Ford’s “Bloomer Flag.”

After noticing the national flags flying on diplomats’ cars as they arrived at the White House as well as the American and Presidential flags displayed on the President’s car, Betty Ford had a question: “If the President gets flags, why shouldn’t the First Lady?”

In answer Dick Hartwig, then the head of Mrs. Ford’s Secret Service detail, and Rick Sardo, the White House Marine Corps aide, presented her with this specially designed flag on June 24, 1975. Hartwig’s friend Sarah Brinkerhoff handmade the pennant for the First Lady’s limousine.

Made of blue satin and trimmed in white lace with blue and red stars, the flag features a pair of red and white bloomers in the center as a play on Mrs. Ford’s maiden name, Bloomer. White text above the bloomers reads, “Don’t Tread on Me,” a slogan frequently used  by the American colonists to garner up patriotism and morale during the American Revolution. The letters “E.R.A.” below stand for the Equal Rights Amendment, an indication of Mrs. Ford’s strong support for the proposed amendment. The ERA, an amendment which would give women equality under law through the United States Constitution, was first introduced to Congress in 1923 but was never given enough support to be ratified.

Although it had been designed for her car Mrs. Ford displayed the flag on her desk in the East Wing.

Images:

Betty Ford’s “Bloomer” Flag