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"Skyscraper" Brush, Apollo Studios Line

Decorative Arts and Design

On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
MEDIUM Silver-plated metal, natural bristles, gilding, enamel, plastic
  • Place Manufactured: New York, New York, United States
  • DATES ca. 1928
    DIMENSIONS 10 1/8 x 3 3/16 x 1 5/8 in. (25.7 x 8.1 x 4.1 cm)  (show scale)
    MARKINGS Stamped on the left edge of the handle near brush: "REG.U.S.PAT.OFF. / [sideways] SKY / SCRAPER" Stamped on the right edge of the handle: "APOLLO STUDIOS / NEW YORK / E.P.N.S. / PAT. D76047"
    ACCESSION NUMBER 87.176.1
    CREDIT LINE Modernism Benefit Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION "Skyscraper" brush, silver-plated base metal with parcel gilt and black enameled areas; en suite with mirror (87.176.2) and dressing tray (87.179). The handle of the brush is an elongated triangle which tapers towards the neck and flares at the base. At the neck of the handle are two gilded, inverted triangles made with incised lines. At the base of the handle is a triangle embellished with black enamel. Soldered to the handle and to the back of the brush proper is a flat sheet of base metal, with incised lines that divide the piece into eight geometric divisions. In the center of the composition is a silver-plated rectangle that is intercepted at the bottom by a gilt triangle. Stepped slightly lower are two inverted triangles that flank either side. The central division is intercepted at the bottom, by a gilt triangular form. An irregular five-sided geometric form is stepped lower than the central silver composition and is enameled in black. The farthest projections of the composition are inverted right triangles, which are gilt. The brush is formed of natural bristles, held by a plastic base, and framed with a silver-plated metal strip. Four metal jewelers pins secure the brush into the frame. CONDITION: Good; some areas of gilding have worn off.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
    CAPTION Louis W. Rice (American, 1872-1933). "Skyscraper" Brush, Apollo Studios Line, ca. 1928. Silver-plated metal, natural bristles, gilding, enamel, plastic, 10 1/8 x 3 3/16 x 1 5/8 in. (25.7 x 8.1 x 4.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Modernism Benefit Fund, 87.176.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 87.176.1_detail_transpc003.jpg)
    IMAGE detail, mirror, 87.176.1_detail_transpc003.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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