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Thermos Carafe

Decorative Arts and Design

On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
MEDIUM Chromed and painted aluminum, glass
DATES patented October 10, 1939
DIMENSIONS 6 1/8 x 6 7/8 x 5 1/4 in. (15.6 x 17.5 x 13.3 cm)  (show scale)
MARKINGS Molded letters on bottom of base: "THE AMERICAN THERMOS BOTTLE CO. / THE ONLY / THERMOS / REG. U.S. PAT. OFFICE / No. 3570 / VACUUM BOTTLE / NORWICH, CONN. U.S.A."
ACCESSION NUMBER 1995.142a-b
CREDIT LINE H. Randolph Lever Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Spherical aluminum and glass thermally insulated carafe (a) and stopper (b). (a) Spherical body of carafe in two halves: lower hemisphere is chrome-plated and continues into short cylindrical base. Upper hemisphere is rose-colored; chrome-plated mouth with low neck and flaring spout is attached just below center point at top; opposing the spout, a rectangular strip of chrome-plated aluminum extends from the neck, makes a low arc over top of carafe, then curves down to meet side of body at point just above where two hemispheres meet; this handle gets thicker as it nears juncture with body. Inside of carafe is lined with silvered glass for insulation. (b) Stopper is an aluminum cylinder that fits snuggly into mouth, surmounted by a spherical rose-colored knob. CONDITION: Good; slight scratches and pock marks on chromed parts; abraded edge on glass lining at mouth where stopper is inserted; also scratches and abrasions to stopper; some cracks in paint and brown spots on knob of stopper.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
CAPTION The American Thermos Bottle Company (1907–1956). Thermos Carafe, patented October 10, 1939. Chromed and painted aluminum, glass, 6 1/8 x 6 7/8 x 5 1/4 in. (15.6 x 17.5 x 13.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 1995.142a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1995.142a-b_bw.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 1995.142a-b_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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