See more objects with the tag cutlery, metalwork, brass, speed, serving ware, knife.

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Object Timeline

1930

  • Work on this object began.

1940

  • Work on this object ended.

2015

2016

2024

  • You found it!

Cheese Knife

This is a Cheese knife. It was designed by Walter von Nessen. It is dated ca. 1935 and we acquired it in 2015. Its medium is chromium-plated brass. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

This cheese knife embodies the aerodynamic, streamlined style so prevalent in the 1930s. The horizontal lines, curved shapes, and feeling of movement that can be found in objects as diverse as Raymond Loewy’s S1 Locomotive or Walter Dorwin Teague’s desk lamp are equally present in this tabletop accessory.

This object was donated by George R. Kravis II. It is credited Gift of George R. Kravis II.

  • Overdoor (France)
  • block printed on handmade paper.
  • Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
  • 1931-45-82

Our curators have highlighted 4 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

  • Floor Lamp (USA)
  • chrome-plated metal.
  • Gift of Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
  • 2009-17-1
  • Anywhere Lamp Lamp
  • aluminum, steel, bakelite (tm), lamp cords.
  • Gift of George R. Kravis II.
  • 2014-25-3

Its dimensions are

L x W x D: 17.1 × 1.9 × 0.5 cm (6 3/4 × 3/4 × 3/16 in.)

Cite this object as

Cheese Knife; Designed by Walter von Nessen (American, 1889 - 1943); chromium-plated brass; L x W x D: 17.1 × 1.9 × 0.5 cm (6 3/4 × 3/4 × 3/16 in.); Gift of George R. Kravis II; 2015-5-10

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Energizing the Everyday: Gifts From the George R. Kravis II Collection.

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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/68814017/ |title=Cheese Knife |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=16 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>