A black, rectangular mobile telephone with platinum surround at its edges. On the front is a rectangular screen with a chevron shape cut from its top section. The screen is placed above six rows of eigtheen chevron-shaped, platinum function and number keys. Beside the phone is a long coiled chain which is looped with a link at the top and a small square medallion across the upper section.

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See more objects with the tag rounded, communication, screen, metal, numbers, typography, buttons, portable, smooth, plastic, innovative, talking, handheld.

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Object Timeline

2002	Work on this object began.
2004	We acquired this object.
2012	We photographed this object.
2015	We photographed this object.
2017	We exhibited this object.
2024	You found it!

Vertu MMII Cellular Telephone

This is a Cellular telephone. It was designed by Mr. Frank Nuovo and manufactured by Vertu Ltd.. It is dated 2002 and we acquired it in 2004. Its medium is platinum, sapphire crystal, ceramic, leather. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

The Vertu MMII platinum phone was included in Cooper-Hewitt’s National Design Triennial: Inside Design Now exhibition, held from 2003 to 2004. The phone is an excellent example of contemporary design combined with a use of precious materials for modern function and form.
The Vertu MMII fits perfectly within the historical aspect of the collection as an “object of vertu”: an object that has a function but was made primarily to show off virtuosity of artistic craftsmanship and design, similar to an 18th-century snuffbox or Fabergé cigarette box. The museum’s collection includes objects of vertu from other eras; the Vertu MMII would be an excellent link between the past and present.

This object was donated by Vertu Ltd.. It is credited Gift of Vertu, Ltd..

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Our curators have highlighted 1 object that are related to this one.

A vertically standing, heavily built mobile phone with the colors gray, orange, white and black. Its materials are molded plastic with other internal electronic components. This Motorola phone was also known as “The brick” - a fitting name for its color and size. It has a black attena extending outside of the main body. The top portion has a small punctures serving as the ear piece reciever. It is followed by a slim black rectangular screen. The button interface is similar to the layout of a standard phone. At the bottom part is the text “Metro Mobile CTS” with a horizontal open slot below it.

DynaTAC 8000x Mobile Phone, 1983
molded plastic, electronic components.
Gift of Robert M. Greenberg.
2017-51-25-a/e

Its dimensions are

L x W x D: 12.2 x 4.2 x 1.6 cm (4 13/16 x 1 5/8 x 5/8 in.)

Cite this object as

Vertu MMII Cellular Telephone; Designed by Mr. Frank Nuovo (American, b. 1961); Manufactured by Vertu Ltd.; England; platinum, sapphire crystal, ceramic, leather; L x W x D: 12.2 x 4.2 x 1.6 cm (4 13/16 x 1 5/8 x 5/8 in.); Gift of Vertu, Ltd.; 2004-9-1-a,b

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition The Virtue in Vice.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/2DPWR/
Accession Number 2004-9-1-a,b
Object ID 18696929