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Object Timeline

-0001

1951

  • Work on this object began.

1961

  • Work on this object ended.

1991

  • We acquired this object.

  • We exhibited this object.

1995

2014

2024

  • You found it!

Sidewall (USA)

This is a sidewall. It was manufactured by J.C. Eisenhart Wallpaper Co.. It is dated ca. 1956 and we acquired it in 1991. Its medium is machine printed on paper. It is a part of the Wallcoverings department.

Historically wallpapers copied rare and exotic woods which, before the days of micro-thin veneers, made it much easier to hang the wood imitation than the real thing. Many of these early papers were further embellished with imitations of gilt bronze mounts or served as the backdrop for trompe l’oeil statues or floral bouquets. In the 20th century woodgrain papers became less formal and began copying more familiar woods such as oak, walnut, and pine, usually as a cheaper alternative.

This object was donated by Suzanne Lipschutz. It is credited Gift of Suzanne Lipschutz.

Its dimensions are

H x W (a): 167 x 52 cm (5 ft. 5 3/4 in. x 20 1/2 in.) H x W (b): 1050 x 52 cm (34 ft. 5 3/8 in. x 20 1/2 in.)

Cite this object as

Sidewall (USA); Manufactured by J.C. Eisenhart Wallpaper Co.; machine printed on paper; H x W (a): 167 x 52 cm (5 ft. 5 3/4 in. x 20 1/2 in.) H x W (b): 1050 x 52 cm (34 ft. 5 3/8 in. x 20 1/2 in.); Gift of Suzanne Lipschutz; 1991-89-46-a,b

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibitions Kitsch to Corbusier: Wallpapers from the 1950s and The Cooper-Hewitt Collections: A Design Resource.

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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/18638027/ |title=Sidewall (USA) |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=24 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>