The image is © 1955 Cowtan and Tout. See our image rights statement.

 

Object Timeline

1955

  • Work on this object began.

1976

  • Work on this object ended.

2016

  • We acquired this object.

2018

2024

  • You found it!

Textile, Cinnabar

This is a Textile. It was designed by Warren Platner and produced by Jack Lenor Larsen Incorporated. It is dated 1955 and we acquired it in 2016. Its medium is linen and its technique is printed on plain weave. It is a part of the Textiles department.

Cinnabar was used as both an upholstery and drapery fabric and was produced in linen, velvet and sheers. During the mid-1950s when this fabric was designed by architect Warren Platner, there was a particular concern by Jack Lenor Larsen Inc. to provide neutral textiles to integrate with the more modern interior – whether an office building or domestic interior. In Jack Lenor Larsen’s A Weaver’s Memoir he illustrates Cinnabar in a house from the 1960s by Roland Terry & Associates. Discussing Terry’s mastery of the Northwest regional style, Larsen saw "the importance of texture, integration with outdoor living spaces, and understated elegance. Terry typically sparked a neutral palette with my sunny colors. Here the upholstery is our printed [yellow] stripe Cinnabar." (p. 136) Although far from bright, it melded well with the wood work and grass window coverings.
Warren Platner designed other fabrics for JLL Inc. including Halo (1968-47-4), which is in the museum's collection.

This object was donated by Longhouse Reserve. It is credited Cowtan and Tout Larsen Archive Collection, Gift of Longhouse Reserve.

Its dimensions are

H x W: 91.4 × 128.9 cm (36 in. × 50 3/4 in.)

It is inscribed

Written on both selvedges in ink marker: MASTER 5/25/76

Cite this object as

Textile, Cinnabar; Designed by Warren Platner (American, 1919–2006); Produced by Jack Lenor Larsen Incorporated (United States); linen; H x W: 91.4 × 128.9 cm (36 in. × 50 3/4 in.); Cowtan and Tout Larsen Archive Collection, Gift of Longhouse Reserve; 2016-32-6

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/673135593/ |title=Textile, Cinnabar |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=19 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>