Modernist Chrome Toothpick Holder by Russel Wright for Chase Co.
About the Item
- Creator:Chase and Co. (Manufacturer),Russel Wright (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 3 in (7.62 cm)Diameter: 3 in (7.62 cm)
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:
Russel Wright
While industrial designer Russell Wright may be known to modern furniture enthusiasts for his streamlined end tables, dining chairs and other pieces, he is universally revered for a line of tableware he created called American Modern. Efficient, practical, and striking in their elegant forms and warm colors, the American Modern ceramic pieces, which included bowls, pitchers, dishes, and other items, became the best-selling dinnerware of all time. Today, vintage Russell Wright American Modern tableware is an evergreen favorite of art collectors and interior designers alike.
Born in 1904 in Ohio, Wright was surrounded by inspiration for the furniture he would one day design. He was raised in a Quaker household and grew up with the spare, meticulously handcrafted furniture for which the Quakers are known. As a young man, he studied art and sculpture at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and the Art Students League of New York, going on to study law at Princeton University in New Jersey. But Wright loved the arts and abandoned his pursuit of a law degree to create stage sets in Princeton and Paris alongside fellow noted designer Norman Bel Geddes.
In 1927, Wright married artist and sculptor Mary Einstein. Together, they moved to New York City, where Wright began to create sculptures. Mary convinced him to create metal bookends from his sculptures, and later, when he began to craft bar accessories from chrome, he turned to aluminum, a much cheaper material for the purposes of mass production (his barware was eventually included in the "Machine Art" show at the Museum of Modern Art in 1934, which was curated by Philip Johnson).
Mary worked on marketing Russell's products, successfully proposing everyday uses for Wright's beautifully designed housewares. She is said to have been a pioneer in the world of lifestyle marketing, coining the terms "American Modern" and "blonde" to describe the charming, light-colored maple furniture he created for Conant Ball, which was known at the time for its reproductions of American Colonial furniture.
While Wright had created some Art Deco furnishings for Heywood-Wakefield, it was this group of bedroom furniture for Conant Ball that got its name, American Modern, from Mary. Under her guidance, Wright's attractive, functional designs for the home gained renown, leading to commissions by prestigious companies like the Steubenville Pottery Company.
In 1935, Wright formed Russell Wright Associates with Irving Richards, an entrepreneur who had worked with Lightolier and would later establish Raymor. In collaboration with Richards, Wright debuted the first line of American Modern dinnerware in 1939, which was initially produced by Russell Wright Associates and then manufactured by Steubenville for two decades. The line sold over 200 million pieces during its 20 years of production. In 1955, Wright was selected by the U.S. State Department to research handicraft industries in Southeast Asia, a trip that influenced his later designs.
Throughout his life, Wright continued to design furniture and housewares, with the works' signature earth tones, curved forms, and clean silhouettes of his floor lamps, lounge chairs, and serveware remaining popular staples in American households. In his later years, he focused on designing and building his home, Manitoga, and working with the National Parks Service to develop the "Summer in the Parks" program.
Upon Wright's death in 1974, Manitoga was given to the Nature Conservancy. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2006 and today houses the Russell & Mary Wright Design Gallery, where many of Wright's works stand on permanent display. In 2011, stamps from the U.S. Postal Service featured Wright's image as one of the United States' twelve most influential industrial designers.
Find vintage Russel Wright lighting, seating, tables, serveware, ceramics and glass on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: San Diego, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Modernist Chrome and Cobalt Toothpick / Cigarette Holder by Chase CoBy Chase and Co.Located in San Diego, CAA very nice modernist toothpick / cigarette holder by Russel Wright for Chase & Co., circa 1940s. The stainless steel design features a 3" round cup on a cobalt blue sheet of mirrore...Category
20th Century American Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsChrome
- Chrome "Top Hat" Toothpick Holder / Shot Glass Chase Co.By Chase and Co.Located in San Diego, CAA very cool chrome "top hat" toothpick Holder / shot glass by Chase Co., circa 1940s. The piece is in good condition and measures 2.625"D x 2"H. It is marked "Chase" with company log...Category
20th Century American Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsChrome
- Pair of Modernist Chrome and Cobalt Candle Holders by Chase CoBy Chase and Co.Located in San Diego, CAA very nice pair of modernist chrome and cobalt candle holders by Chase & Co., circa 1940s. The chrome design features a 2.5" round cup on a coba...Category
20th Century American Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsChrome
- American Art Deco Set of 3 Candle Holders by Russel Wright for ChaseBy Chase and Co., Russel WrightLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful and rare set of 3 art Deco candle holders designed by Russel Wright , for Chase circa 1940s in copper and bakelite one with a brass top .Category
20th Century American Art Deco Candlesticks
MaterialsBakelite
- Art Deco Chrome & Bakelite Water Pitcher by Chase Co.By Chase and Co.Located in San Diego, CAArt Deco chrome and bakelite water pitcher by Chase Co., circa 1930s. The pitcher is in good vintage condition, measures 5W" x 7"D x 8" and is marked "Chase" with company logo on th...Category
20th Century American Art Deco Serving Pieces
MaterialsChrome
- Sphereical "Saturn's Rings" Chrome Cream, Sugar and Tray by Chase Co.By Chase and Co.Located in San Diego, CASphereical "Saturn's rings" chrome cream, sugar and tray by Chase Co., circa 1940s. The set is in good condition and measures 11.25"W x 5"D x 4"H. It is marked "Chase" with company...Category
20th Century American Art Deco Serving Pieces
MaterialsChrome
- Russel Wright for Chase Corn setBy Chase Brass and Copper Company, Russel WrightLocated in Philadelphia, PARussel Wright for Chase 4 piece Corn Set. Elegant Design with blue glass tray bottom and a small serving pitcher for butter. Salt and pepper shakers complete the set. Perfect to u...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Serving Pieces
MaterialsChrome
- Russel Wright American Way TraysBy Russel WrightLocated in Palm Springs, CARussel Wright individually sized trays. Some trays have partial American way labels. Part of a wood line designed by husband and wife Industrial designers Russel and Mary Wright. Ann...Category
Vintage 1940s American Serving Pieces
- 1934 Modernist Small Chrome Syrup Pitcher by Russel Wright for Chase Co.By Chase Brass and Copper CompanyLocated in Van Nuys, CARussel Wright, designed pieces for convenience and ease of living, and this set certainly provide that. These pieces are typical of Wright’s Chase aesthetic using spherical shapes, like his cocktail ball or corn and pancake set. These sets certainly brightened many a breakfast, tea time, or dinner party during the dark days...Category
Vintage 1930s American Pitchers
MaterialsChrome
- Russel Wright Spun Aluminum Informal Serving AccessoriesBy Russel WrightLocated in Hanover, MAEleven Pieces of Russel Wright Spun Aluminum; 10 1/2" Pitcher with Six Martinis, Bun Warmer with bentwood handle swivel lid and original wire basket liner, 10" high and a two tiered tray with bentwood handles and supports, 12 1/2" high. Two lidded waffle/pancake dishes. Price is for the entire group. See our separate listing LU886614802111 for the Russell Wright Oceana...Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Barware
MaterialsAluminum
- 1950s Atomic Hors D' Oeuvre Appetizer Wood Toothpick Holder SputnikBy Ernst HenriksenLocated in Chula Vista, CAWe presents Hors d’oeuvre appetizer wood toothpick holder atomic sputnik Modern 1950s Ideal Mid-Century Modern serving piece for cheese cubes appetizer ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsWood
- Mary Wright Klise Cheese TrayBy Russel Wright, Mary WrightLocated in Palm Springs, CAMary Wright frosted oak Klise cheese tray. Contains the frosted oak label and signed. Part of a wood line designed by husband and wife Industrial designers...Category
Vintage 1940s American Serving Pieces
MaterialsWood