GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Giving objects, even stationary ones, streamlined shapes was seen as a sign of progress and dynamism in the Depression years of the 1930s. Thanks to the emerging profession of industrial design and the need to enhance slumping sales figures, streamlined silhouettes were given to everything from buildings to buses and from cocktail shakers to vacuum cleaners. Furthermore, the modernity of these products was often enhanced through the use of new materials, including plywood, plastic, chromed steel, and aluminum. The end result was fashionable yet relatively inexpensive products that could be consumed on a mass scale and were not restricted to the wealthy upper class.
This pure and minimalistic firescreen is constructed of glass and chrome, utilizing just a few of the modern materials widely applied by industrial designers of this era. The repeated banding, or speed lines, achieved by the horizontal glass rods combined with the use of chrome echoes the influence that the Machine Age aesthetic had on everyday household products during the thirties.
Adapted from
Charles Venable, “Art Deco and Streamlined Modern Design, 1920-1950” Gallery text (2000.331), 2001.
NOTES
Geo Xrefs - constituent birth
Geo Xrefs - place of origin
Geo Xrefs - business location
Provenance
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Schoen_Eugene: ULAN: 500024794
Schmieg_and_Kotzian: DMA
Cultures
Geography
New York (New York): TGN: 7007567
Process/materials
glass (material): AAT: 300010797
chrome steel: AAT: 300010918
Historical periods
Streamlined Moderne: 300212738
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
1935-1936: Schmieg and Kotzian (manufacturer), New York, New York
After 1937: Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz residence, Washington, D.C. [1]
Until 2000: The Estate of Gwendolyn D. Cafritz and The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, Washington, DC [2]
From 2000: Dallas Museum of Art, purchased from The Estate of Gwendolyn D. Cafritz, Washington, DC on 4/21/00 [2]
[1] According to an article found in the DMA object file from "The Washington Post" by Annie Groer dated August 31, 2000 and letter from Eric Kohler (collector and dealer in mid-century decorative arts) to Charles Venable (Chief Curator for the Decorative Arts and Design at the DMA) dated February 18, 2000
[2] According to the following documents found in the DMA object file: DMA Committee on Collections record dated March 21, 2000, Invoice from The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation dated April 3, 2000, DMA Purchase Order dated April 13, 2000, DMA Object receipt form dated June 22, 2000
AUDIO ASSETS
13311516: UMO. Listen to Charles Venable, former Chief Curator of Decorative Arts and Design at the DMA discuss Art Deco and Streamlined Moderne
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
PBS American Experience~Read more about Industrial Designers and Streamliners
Eugene Schoen~Read more about industrial designer Eugene Schoen
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where id equals 5322123
Category
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General Description
Giving objects, even stationary ones, streamlined shapes was seen as a sign of progress and dynamism in the Depression years of the 1930s. Thanks to the emerging profession of industrial design and the need to enhance slumping sales figures, streamlined silhouettes were given to everything from buildings to buses and from cocktail shakers to vacuum cleaners. Furthermore, the modernity of these products was often enhanced through the use of new materials, including plywood, plastic, chromed steel, and aluminum. The end result was fashionable yet relatively inexpensive products that could be consumed on a mass scale and were not restricted to the wealthy upper class.
This pure and minimalistic firescreen is constructed of glass and chrome, utilizing just a few of the modern materials widely applied by industrial designers of this era. The repeated banding, or speed lines, achieved by the horizontal glass rods combined with the use of chrome echoes the influence that the Machine Age aesthetic had on everyday household products during the thirties.
Adapted from
Charles Venable, “Art Deco and Streamlined Modern Design, 1920-1950” Gallery text (2000.331), 2001.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
PBS American Experience~Read more about Industrial Designers and Streamliners
Eugene Schoen~Read more about industrial designer Eugene Schoen
Notes
Geo Xrefs - constituent birth
Geo Xrefs - place of origin
Geo Xrefs - business location
Provenance
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Schoen_Eugene: ULAN: 500024794
Schmieg_and_Kotzian: DMA
Cultures
Geography
New York (New York): TGN: 7007567
Process/materials
glass (material): AAT: 300010797
chrome steel: AAT: 300010918
Historical periods
Streamlined Moderne: 300212738
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
1935-1936: Schmieg and Kotzian (manufacturer), New York, New York
After 1937: Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz residence, Washington, D.C. [1]
Until 2000: The Estate of Gwendolyn D. Cafritz and The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, Washington, DC [2]
From 2000: Dallas Museum of Art, purchased from The Estate of Gwendolyn D. Cafritz, Washington, DC on 4/21/00 [2]
[1] According to an article found in the DMA object file from "The Washington Post" by Annie Groer dated August 31, 2000 and letter from Eric Kohler (collector and dealer in mid-century decorative arts) to Charles Venable (Chief Curator for the Decorative Arts and Design at the DMA) dated February 18, 2000
[2] According to the following documents found in the DMA object file: DMA Committee on Collections record dated March 21, 2000, Invoice from The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation dated April 3, 2000, DMA Purchase Order dated April 13, 2000, DMA Object receipt form dated June 22, 2000
AUDIO ASSETS
13311516: UMO. Listen to Charles Venable, former Chief Curator of Decorative Arts and Design at the DMA discuss Art Deco and Streamlined Moderne
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
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Objects
id
Equals
5322123
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