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Occupying the entirety of Carnegie Mansion, the Cooper Hewitt is one of New York's best design museums. Opened in 1897 with the aim of improving public knowledge and taste, its done just that. There's so much to see, but here are ten things that you may have missed…
The Rhinoceros (1515) by Albrecht Dürer, German, 1471–1528Original Source: See this work of art on the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum website
You may have walked past this, but you definitely shouldn't. This is probably the most famous rhinoceros in history, drawn by the most famous draftsman in history - Albrecht Dürer. He drew it in 1515, despite never actually one.
While it's clear he used his imagination, he also managed to capture something of the gruff, world-weary character of the creature.
Inkwell stand and lid (ca. 1780)Original Source: See this work of art on the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum website
This heart-shaped inkwell dates to the 1780s, when its blue-on-white porcelain design would have been at the height of fashion, and letter-writing was an essential skill of any person of worth. Imagine what gossip and dalliances this inkwell was privy to…
Comb (19th century)Original Source: http://collection.cooperhewitt.org/view/objects/asitem/id/47353
This ornate gold and tortoiseshell comb seems too extravagant for daily use. In fact, combs such as this one would have been worn on the back of the head, as an accessory to pin together complex hairstyles of braids and buns which were popular in the 19th Century,
Magic lantern (1850–1900)Original Source: See this work of art on the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum website
This metal figurine, styled in stereotypical Chinese dress, conceals a 'magic lantern', an early form of image projector. Photographic negatives or painted glass slides would be inserted one-by-one, and the images cast onto a white sheet.
"Paimio" chair (Designed 1930–31, manufactured ca. 1935–40) by Alvar AaltoCooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
It looks a little plain, but this bent plywood chair is a masterpiece by the famous Finnish interior designer Alvar Aalto. In the 1930s, Aalto pioneered the use of cheap plywood materials in mid-20th Century homes. In doing so, he set a trend that continues to this day.
Cane with pull-out map (1940) by In-A-Cane Display Co.Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Today, many people find their way by reading maps on their phones. In the 1940s, a few people might have used this unusual gadget - a walking stick with a concealed map - in this case, a map of Boston, USA. It's a shame it never caught on!
GRiD Compass (1981) by Bill MoggridgeCooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
An easier way to organise information came with the invention of electronic digital computers. In the 1980s, technology had advanced to the point that people could carry a computer with them - imagine! This COMPAQ GRiD Compass 1011 was the first mass-produced laptop.
TUDOR COIN ENCRUSTED TABLE (1992) by Cheryl R. RileyCooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Studded with Nigerian coins and burnished with gold and copper leaf, the Tudor Coin Encrusted Table by American designer Cheryl R. Riley recalls the aristocratic costumes and furniture of both England in the 16th century and traditional East African masks.
THE MIDDLE PASSAGE - AFRICAN HOLOCAUST, "MAAFA" ("TERRIBLE THING" IN SWAHILI) BROOCH (1993/1996) by Phyllis BowdwinCooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Born in the Bronx, New York, Phyllis Bowdwin is an activist and designer. This brooch depicts the hull of a slave ship and the arrangement of its tightly packed human cargo during the Middle Passage. It was made in 1992 to commemorate 400 years of transatlantic slavery.
Ýrúrarí knitted maskCooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of face masks was recognised. Inspired by this new facial accessory, the Icelandic artist Ýrúrarí started knitting her own ornamental masks. The Cooper Hewitt is lucky to have collected a number of her surreal creations.
