DepartmentUnited States & Canada

Birth certificate

NameDocument

CulturePennsylvania German

Date1844

Place madeYork, Pennsylvania, United States, North America

MediumPaper, ink, wood, paint

Dimensions18 1/8 × 15 3/8 × 13/16 in. (46 × 39 × 2 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, Gift in honor of Gertrude Smith, A.2020.60.3

Object numberA.2020.60.3

ProvenanceCollection of Carolyn Haddock and Douglas Smith, by inheritance from Smith’s mother, Gertrude Smith.

DescriptionCentral vertical rectangular panel contains the details of the birth in German. Above is an eagle holding arrows and an olive branch. On either side is an angel, one holding a wreath, the other holding a bird (above each of their heads is a delineated box with German script). Below each angle are two birds standing on leafy branches. In comb-painted frame.