Posted 9 years ago
Arisellon
(86 items)
It's so interesting how such utilitarian objects can represent the modern Machine Age movement. These aluminum salt and pepper shakers were designed by Charles Sheeler, circa 1935. They are depicted in the book, "American Modern: 1925-1940, Design for a New Age" by J. Stewart Johnson on page 118. According to the book, Sheeler was a founder of American modernism, who also "maintained an interest in designing objects for the home that reflected the modern Bauhaus philosophy of 'less is more.'" He was mostly prolific as a painter and photographer.
These simple, yet elegant, Art Deco shakers are also depicted on the Smithsonian's American Art Museum website:
http://americanart.si.edu/collections/search/artwork/?id=22257
According to the Smithsonian, "During the Depression, Charles Sheeler worked in the industrial design field, designing glass tumblers and metal tableware. Salt and Pepper Shakers reflects his belief that such objects should be simple and functional. The sharp, precise edges culminating in rounded corners are very much in line with American modernism, in which Sheeler played a large role. The set has been compared to Shaker stoves and Ford cars, both objects that interested Sheeler in his celebration of industrial products as objects of aesthetic value."
These shakers have the rounded corners, but apparently, there are rarer versions with just flat edges. I scored these on Ebay awhile back for a song.
stunning!!! I have some American made s&p and they are from the Memphis movement era!!!