Slave Tag 1788 Thornburg Plantation. Virginia

Slave tag 1788 Copper tone cast metal, non magnetic. 2x3 inches aproximently.

The "Slave tag 1788" was a type of identification tag used to track and manage enslaved people during the 18th and 19th centuries. These tags were made of copper or brass and were worn around the neck or wrist of enslaved individuals. The number inscribed on the tag represented the enslaved person's identification number, which was used to keep track of their movements and work.

In the context of Black Americana, the slave tag is a powerful symbol of the brutal and inhumane treatment of enslaved Africans in America. The tags represent the dehumanization and objectification of Black people during the era of slavery, and serve as a reminder of the atrocities committed against them.

The slave tag is also significant as a tangible artifact of the African American experience, and serves as a link to the past for many Black people today. It represents the resilience and strength of the Black community in the face of adversity and oppression.

Overall, the slave tag is a haunting reminder of the legacy of slavery in America, and serves as a powerful symbol of the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality.