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"American Modern" Dinnerware

Designer Russel Wright American
Manufacturer Steubenville Pottery Company American
1937
Not on view
The biomorphic forms and softly vibrant color palette of Wright's American Modern service, made of sturdy and inexpensive earthenware, made it one of the most popular ceramic services ever created. The highly sculptural forms of some the pieces in this service, including the teardrop-shaped pitcher with elongated spout, were unlike any other products on the market. Wright promoted the service in novel ways, including offering a starter set of twelve pieces, to which consumers could add over time as their budget and lifestyle dictated. American Modern also came in six interchangeable colors, increasing consumer flexibility in assembling their services. As the best-selling ceramic service ever, Wright's dinnerware proved to be an especially successful example of the Good Design movement, which sought to make well-designed, modern goods available to consumers at every price point.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "American Modern" Dinnerware
  • Designer: Russel Wright (American, Lebanon, Ohio 1904–1976 New York)
  • Manufacturer: Steubenville Pottery Company (Steubenville, Ohio)
  • Date: 1937
  • Medium: Glazed earthenware
  • Dimensions: a: H. 10-5/8, W. 8-1/2, D. 6-5/8 in.
    b-c: H. 4-7/8, W. 10, D. 6-3/4 in.
    d-e: H. 6-3/4, W. 8-1/4, D. 6 in.
    f: H. 2-1/2, W. 9, D. 6-1/2 in.
    g: H. 1, W. 10-7/8, D. 6-1/4 in.
    h: H. 1-1/4, W. 13-1/4, D. 3-5/8 in.
    i-j: (each) H. 2-1/8, Diam. 2-1/8 in.
  • Classification: Ceramics-Pottery
  • Credit Line: John C. Waddell Collection, Gift of John C. Waddell, 2002
  • Object Number: 2002.585.17.1–.8
  • Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art

More Artwork

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"American Modern" Dinnerware - Pitcher, Russel Wright American, Glazed earthenware
"American Modern" Dinnerware - Pitcher
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Steubenville Pottery Company
1937
"American Modern" Dinnerware - Gravy under-plate, Russel Wright American, Glazed earthenware
"American Modern" Dinnerware - Gravy under-plate
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"American Modern" Dinnerware - Coffeepot, Russel Wright American, Glazed earthenware
"American Modern" Dinnerware - Coffeepot
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"American Modern" Dinnerware - Gravy Boat, Russel Wright American, Glazed earthenware
"American Modern" Dinnerware - Gravy Boat
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Steubenville Pottery Company
1937
"American Modern" Dinnerware - Teapot, Russel Wright American, Glazed earthenware
"American Modern" Dinnerware - Teapot
Russel Wright
Steubenville Pottery Company
1937

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