Russel Wright (American, 1904–1976). Platter, Residential" Pattern, Designed 1953. Melamine (plastic), 1 x 14 ½ x 11 5/8 in. (2.5 x 36.9 x 29.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Paul F. Walter, 1994.165.61. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1994.165.61_83.108.104_1999.29.48_83.108.104_83.108.91a-b_83.108.103_83.108.107.jpg)
Russel Wright (American, 1904–1976). Platter, Residential" Pattern, Designed 1953. Melamine (plastic), 1 x 14 ½ x 11 5/8 in. (2.5 x 36.9 x 29.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Paul F. Walter, 1994.165.61. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 1994.165.61_83.108.104_1999.29.48_83.108.93a-b_83.108.103_83.108.97_bw.jpg)
Platter, Residential" Pattern
Decorative Arts and Design
Because of its low cost and easy care, plastic attracted both consumer and designer in the postwar era. Russel Wright worked with the chemical company American Cyanamid to develop a line of dinnerware from its patented plastic, Melamine. Although that venture was not successful, Wright soon found other companies to produce his designs for plastic dinnerware. Originally intended for institutional use, plastic dinnerware also found a place at home, and by 1957 Wright’s Residential line, produced by Northern Industrial Chemical, had door-to-door sales of $4 million.
DESIGNER
Russel Wright, American, 1904–1976
MEDIUM
Melamine (plastic)
DATES
Designed 1953
DIMENSIONS
1 x 14 ½ x 11 5/8 in. (2.5 x 36.9 x 29.5 cm) (show scale)
MARKINGS
on bottom, impressed: "100%/MELAMINE/MADE IN U.S.A./BY/
NORTHERN/BOSTON 270"
SIGNATURE
not signed
INSCRIPTIONS
no inscriptions
COLLECTIONS
Decorative Arts and Design
ACCESSION NUMBER
1994.165.61
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Paul F. Walter
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Russel Wright (American, 1904–1976). Platter, Residential" Pattern, Designed 1953. Melamine (plastic), 1 x 14 ½ x 11 5/8 in. (2.5 x 36.9 x 29.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Paul F. Walter, 1994.165.61. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1994.165.61_83.108.104_1999.29.48_83.108.104_83.108.91a-b_83.108.103_83.108.107.jpg)
IMAGE
group, 1994.165.61_83.108.104_1999.29.48_83.108.104_83.108.91a-b_83.108.103_83.108.107.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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