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A Sidewall Opens Childhood Memories
Kimberly CisnerosSidewall, Japan, 1954. Gift of S. Stanley Sogg, 1955-88-5My childhood bedroom was decorated with a butterfly motif. I had a canopy bed with a butterfly cover and bedspread and...
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A Look at Safavid Glass
Andrea OsgoodEwer, Iran, 17th-18th century, gilt and enameled glass, Gift of Rodman Wanamaker, 1919-24-92Looking at this colored glass ewer that was produced in Iran sometime in the seventeenth to...
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A Digitally-printed Lamp
Andrea LippsMyLight.MGX hanging lamp. Designed by Lars Spuybroek, manufactured by Materialise NV. 2007. Gift of Materialise NV. 2010-35-1The MyLight.MGX, a hanging lamp by designer Lars Spuybroek for...
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Piña Camisa
Kyla I. KatigbakBlouse (camisa). Philippines, late 19th century. Embroidered piña cloth. Gift of Joseph Howland Hunt, 1919-11-1This ornate and delicate nineteenth century blouse (camisa) from the...
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Shirtings by Cocheco, 1882–1888
Kimberly RandallDyer's record book, 1882–1888, Gift of Frederick J. Whitehead from the collection compiled by his father Cornelius Whitehead at the Pacific Print Works of Lawrence, Massachusetts,...
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The Art of When to Stop Designing
Andrea LippsFolle 26 stapler. Designed by Henning Andreasen, manufactured by Folle APS. 1977. Gift of Arango Design Foundation and Steelcase Design Partnership. 1994-31-75“I enjoy delivering a finished...
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A Vase Designed by a Distinguished, But Forgotten Man
Elaine GersteinVase, designed by Hector Guimard, made by the Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory, 1908, Gift of Mme. Hector Guimard, 1948-114-2Hector Guimard (French, 1867-1942), architect, designer and...
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More than a Mouthful
Sarah D. CoffinFork and spoon, Nuremberg, Germany, 1600-1630, The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, Gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg, 1985-103-81,-82Until the seventeenth century–and even after that–knives...
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The Modern Hut
Willa GrangerDrawing: Design for a Private House, Morbio Superiore, Switzerland, 1982. Designed by Mario Botta. Museum purchase through bequest of Erskine Hewitt, 1985-63-2.Swiss architect Mario...
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Protecting Your Back
Matilda McQuaidAinu robe (attush). Hokkaido, Japan, 19th century. Cotton appliqué and embroidery on elm bark (ohyo) cloth. Gift of Alice Boney. 1962-67-1.Ainu culture in Japan has some of the oldest...
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An Enlightened Staircase
Willa GrangerStaircase model, France, early 19th century, Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw, 2007-45-12As an architecture buff, I am constantly drawn to those objects in Cooper-Hewitt’s collection...
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An Unexpected Creature Fuels the Flames of Tradition
Carly LewisLe Feu. Designed by Yvonne Clarinval for Tassinari & Chatel. ca. 1924. Gift of anonymous donor, 1931-1-14This rhythmic pattern of meandering flames and smoke is one in a series of four...
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The Wright Stuff
Cynthia TropeMatchsafe, United States, ca. 1905, Gift of Stephen W. Brener and Carol B. Brener, 1978-146-1105One hundred and ten years ago, Orville and Wilbur Wright launched their first flyer—it...
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"The Latest Radio Success"
Cynthia TropeNew World radio. Designed by Raymond Loewy, manufactured by the Colonial Radio Company. Buffalo, NY, 1933. Gift of George R. Kravis II, 2011-44-3Raymond Loewy was one of the most prominent...
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Dance, Surf and Poi: A Hawaii Shade
Gregory HerringshawWindow shade: Hawaii. 1938-39. Hand painted on canvas. Gift of Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, 2009-17-3.This is one of six window shades created for the theatre in the Hollywood...
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A Gift that Keeps on Giving
Carly LewisHanging: Red Crocus. Designed and woven by Ann-Mari Forsberg. Sweden, ca. 1955. Linen, wool. Gift of Elizabeth Gordon, 1964-24-41Uniformity with moments of variety delight the senses in this...
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Josef Hoffmann’s Notschrei
Megan ElevadoTextile: Nostchrei. Designed by Josef Hoffmann. Austria, 1904. Woven wool. Museum purchase through General Acquisitions Endowment FundToday, the words “asylum” and “sanatorium” conjure...
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An Exotic Cake Knife
Sarah D. CoffinCake knife or saw. Manufactured by Sperry Douglas Brower and Son, formerly Sperry and Henson. Albany, NY 1873-1881. Museum purchase from General Acquisitions Endowment Fund , 2011-7-1...
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Fresh, Fun, Friendly
Laurel McEuenTextile. Designed by Josef Hillerbrand for Deutsche Werkstatten. Germany, 1926. Gift of Teresa Kilham, 1958-88-12Josef Hillerbrand (1892-1981), was a German-born architect and painter who...
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A Pickle Fork for Every Occasion
Stephen H. Van DykReed & Barton, artistic workers in silver & gold plate. [Taunton, Mass.] : Reed & Barton, c1884. f 046780 Smithsonian Libraries. CHMRB .The roots of the firm Reed &...
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