1994.15.8 Russel Wright, "American Modern” bowl

During the late 1930s, Russel Wright combined the notion of mix-and-match solid colors with innovative organic shapes that foreshadowed post-World War II design. In 1937, Wright and his wife, Mary, designed American Modern, a line that included early examples of coupe plates and hollowware pieces with biomorphic forms. In fact, the Wrights' creation was so radical that two years elapsed before a pottery agreed to produce it. In 1939, the then-bankrupt Steubenville Pottery Company began production of the line in four colors developed by students of Donald Schreckengost at Alfred University--Chartreuse Curry, Granite Grey, Seafoam Green, and Bean Brown--and eventually offered seven additional colors. 

American Modern was one of the best-selling tableware lines of all time. In production between 1939 and 1959, it grossed an estimated $150 million and prompted Steubenville Pottery Company to expand twice to maintain pace with demand. 

Charles L. Venable, China and Glass in America 1880-1980 (Dallas, TX: Dallas Museum of Art: New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2000), 349, 425. 

earthenware: AAT: 300140803

Mid-Century Modernist: AAT: 300343610

bowls (vessels): AAT: 300203596

Until 1994: Glenn Lane, Dallas, Texas [1] 

From 1994: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of the above [1]

[1] See Dallas Museum of Art Deed of Gift (dated May 3, 1994, copy in Collections Records Object File) 

Read an essay on Russel Wright’s American Modern dinnerware line. 

Apply to objects where number equals 1994.15.8