Flat Iron Holder

Art Historical Context

Mildred Ford's *Flat Iron Holder* (. 1937), in precise graphite on paperboard, the humble elegance of an everyday American household object from the Index of American Design. Measuring 22.7 x 29.1 cm, this detailed drawing depicts a practical holder—originally about 10½ inches long—for sad irons, the heavy, stove-heated tools women used for ironing before electricity became widespread. Ford's meticulous lines highlight the object's functional form, likely crafted from wood or metal, evoking the ingenuity of early 20th-century domestic life. Created as part of the Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression, the Index of American Design (1935–1942) employed artists like Ford to document and celebrate the nation's folk art, crafts, and design heritage. Through accurate renderings, it preserved vanishing artifacts, promoting national pride in American craftsmanship amid economic hardship. Ford's graphite technique—shading and contouring for three-dimensionality—exemplifies the project's emphasis on technical precision over artistic flourish. Housed in the National Gallery of Art, this work underscores the cultural importance of utilitarian objects as windows into daily American history, blending artistry with preservation. Visitors will appreciate how Ford transforms a simple tool into a testament to resilience and resourcefulness.

About the Artist

Mildred Ford · 1895–1988

Mildred Ford (1895–1988) was an American artist whose career is indelibly linked to the Index of American Design, a monumental Works Progress Administration (WPA) project launched in the 1930s to document the nation's rich heritage of decorative arts and folk objects. Through her precise renderings, Ford helped preserve intricate details of everyday artifacts—from toleware utensils to Pennsylvania...