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Object Timeline

1910

  • Work on this object ended.

1978

  • We acquired this object.

2015

2019

2024

  • You found it!

Matchsafe, ca. 1890-1900

This is a matchsafe. It is dated ca. 1890-1900 and we acquired it in 1978. Its medium is white metal, celluloid film, photograph. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

Tortoiseshell patterning has remained popular but by the early 20th century synthetic substitutes had largely replaced the natural material. this matchsafe sports a photoraph of William Jennings Bryan, a politician who unsuccessfully ran for president in 1896, 1900, and 1908. The background of immitation tortoiseshell is made of a thin film of dyed celluloid.

This object was donated by Stephen W. Brener and Carol B. Brener. It is credited Gift of Stephen W. Brener and Carol B. Brener.

Its dimensions are

Overall: 3.8 x 5.7 x 1.2 cm (1 1/2 x 2 1/4 x 1/2 in.)

Cite this object as

Matchsafe, ca. 1890-1900; white metal, celluloid film, photograph; Overall: 3.8 x 5.7 x 1.2 cm (1 1/2 x 2 1/4 x 1/2 in.); Gift of Stephen W. Brener and Carol B. Brener; 1978-146-368

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Plastics.

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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/18495145/ |title=Matchsafe, ca. 1890-1900 |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=17 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>