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"The Wizard of Woo" cape worn by Bernie Worrell of Parliament-Funkadelic

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object Details

Created by
Jacki Robinson
Worn by
Bernie Worrell, American, 1944 - 2016
Subject of
Parliament-Funkadelic, American, founded 1955
Description
An ankle-length purple microfiber cotton and lamé cape worn by Bernie Worrell of Parliament-Funkadelic during the 1996 "Mothership Reconnection Tour."
The exterior of the cape features a swirling design of glittering purple, silver, and gold lamé. The shoulder capelet is adorned with gold cotton embroidery all around. On the back, in large letters, is “THE / WIZARD / OF / WOO” between applique embroidery of stars, a treble clef sign, and a sixteenth note. On the proper left shoulder is more gold embroidery of stars, musical notes, and a treble clef sign. On the proper right shoulder is a large silver cotton embroidery of a grand piano with gold keys, beneath two stars and a sixteenth note. The capelet is edged with a thick cord of twisted purple and gold. It closes at the front via two silver metal star hooks. Beneath the caplet are at least seven clear plastic buttons for detachment. On the inside of the solid purple cotton microfiber of the cape is a white cotton sewn in tag for Jacki Robinson whose named is embroidered in bright blue thread.
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Judie Worrell and Bassl Worrell
ca. 1996
Object number
2021.43.1
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown – Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Type
capes (outerwear)
Medium
cotton (fiber) polyester and lamé with plastic and metal
Dimensions
L x W: 54 5/16 × 23 5/8 in. (138 × 60 cm)
Diameter: 83 7/16 in. (212 cm)
Place made
Plainfield, Union County, New Jersey, United States, North and Central America
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Clothing - Costume
Movement
Afrofuturism
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Topic
African American
Clothing and dress
Costume
Costume design
Funk (Music)
Instrumentalists (Musicians)
Men
Music
Musicians
Record ID
nmaahc_2021.43.1
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd55d3f77ff-ef30-4830-82c7-faefb37d671a

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