Platter, Residential" Pattern
Object Label
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.
Caption
Russel Wright American, 1904–1976; Northern Industrial Chemical. 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
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Designer
Title
Platter, Residential" Pattern
Date
Designed 1953
Medium
Melamine (plastic)
Classification
Dimensions
1 x 14 ½ x 11 5/8 in. (2.5 x 36.9 x 29.5 cm)
Signatures
not signed
Inscriptions
no inscriptions
Markings
on bottom, impressed: "100%/MELAMINE/MADE IN U.S.A./BY/ NORTHERN/BOSTON 270"
Credit Line
Gift of Paul F. Walter
Accession Number
1994.165.61
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
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