Trivet Toaster
c. 1938
Medium
graphite and watercolor on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 45.7 x 35.5 cm (18 x 14 in.) Original IAD Object: 12 1/2" high; 9 3/8" in diameter
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.15122
Art Historical Context
In the heart of the Index of American Design, a treasure trove of Depression-era artistry, Filippo Porreca *Trivet Toaster* (c. 1938) captures the humble ingenuity of American household objects. Rendered in graphite and watercolor on paper, this 45.7 x 35.5 cm work meticulously depicts a compact kitchen tool—originally 12 1/2 inches high 9 3/8 inches in diameter—likely an early 20th stovetop toaster that rested on a protective trivet. Porreca's precise lines and subtle washes highlight the object's functional curves, metallic sheen, and practical design, evoking the everyday craftsmanship of p...
About the Artist
Filippo Porreca
Filippo Porreca is an artist for whom documented biographical information is scarce. No confirmed dates of birth or death have been established, and his nationality remains uncertain, preventing confident placement of his work within a specific national or regional tradition. The works attributed to Porreca indicate an artist with training in a recognizable technical tradition, but without archiv...