Prototype pitcher Designer: Ettore Sottsass (Italian, 1917–2007)
Retailer: Swid Powell (American, 1982–2001)

1986

American Decorative Arts

By appointment, Wurtele Study Center

The Italian architect Ettore Sottsass was a founding member of the Memphis Group and a leader of the Postmodern style. Sottsass made this wooden prototype pitcher for Swid Powell, but it did not go into production. The angular forms and self-consciously clunky composition were typical of Sottsass's ceramics, although it is unknown if Sottsass intended this design to be produced in ceramic, glass, or metal. The prototype has graphite markings showing the center point and intended thickness of the walls.

Medium

Basswood

Dimensions

8 × 7 × 3 in. (20.32 × 17.78 × 7.62 cm)

Credit Line

Swid Powell Collection, Gift of Nan Swid

Accession Number

2011.200.2

Geography

Designed in Milan, Italy

Culture

American

Period

20th century

Classification

Models

Disclaimer

Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Provenance
Swid Powell, New York, by 2001; Nan G. Swid, New York, 2001–2011; Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Conn., 2011
Object copyright
Copyright Artist/Estate/Foundation
In Copyright
Additional information

Marks

No marks

Technical metadata and APIs

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