Object Description

The object I have been given to work with is a gray stuffed rhinoceros belonging to a female named Shanise. I have not yet seen this object in person, so my information to a side-view photograph, at this moment I do not even know the brand or manufacturing information. This object history has been informed to some degree by the work of Jules David Prown, specifically his essay “Mind in Matter: An introduction to Material Culture Theory and Method (a piece in Material Life America, 1600-1860, ed. Robert Blair St. George, Boston, Northeastern University Press, 1988)

The size of the object appears to be fairly small; although the photograph is a close-up, I am basing this fact on that the rhino is on a shelf. The rhino is only wearing a gray hat or headband of some kind, and also a net to catch butterflies. There are seams halfway along each of the arms, legs, and chest, and also around the horns. A story from the owner also indicates that at one point the rhino had other clothing, and butterflies in the net. This picture will be posted as soon as I receive permission to do so from First Person Arts.

At this point I can only speculate on the manufacturing process, but since the animal is likely machine-sewn. Two layers of fabric are placed on a table or other cutting surface, and a pattern is used to cut the shape of the rhino. A machine then sews the two sides of the fabric together with the inside out. A hole is left to facilitate stuffing the animal and turning the fabric to the proper side. Cotton, polyester, down, or some other similar “fluffy” substance is used to stuff the animal. This is done with the use of a special machine that makes the stuffing extra fluffy by blowing air into it and rotating it around. After the proper amount of stuffing is worked into the animal, the hole is closed, and various accessories attached. In the case of Shanise’s rhino, an eye or eyes are attached (often by some sort of glue), the horns are attached (they are of a darker gray), and the butterfly catcher is affixed to an upper leg. (For more information on stuffed animals, albeit homemade ones, see http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/how-to-make-a-dog-stuffed-toy-8270.html).

Stuffed animals are an item that can either be art or diversionary under Prown’s categories. Like humanoid dolls, they can serve an ornamental purpose—especially the more expensive ones. However stuffed animals usually invoke an emotional response like diversionary objects, usually during play if the child (or adult) imbibes them with some sort of imaginary life force (like these YouTube videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BoPJczEaRg&feature=related and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LNtwjspUSM). Most value in such an animal is attached, cotton stuffing and fabric are usually cheap (http://www.fashionfabricsclub.com/catalog_items.aspx?TypId=514), and stuffed animals serve no intrinsic need to human survival.

Most of this is based on what I know for certain to be fact, although some is speculation, this object description will be updated if and when I have the ability to see the object.