See more objects with the tag domestic interiors, interior design, radios, cabinets.

Object Timeline

1929

  • Work on this object began.

1943

  • Work on this object ended.

1988

  • We acquired this object.

2015

2017

2018

2025

  • You found it!

Drawing, Design for Radio and Phonograph Cabinet

This is a Drawing. It was from the office of Donald Deskey Associates and Donald Deskey. It is dated ca. 1936 and we acquired it in 1988. Its medium is graphite on tracing paper. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.

This cabinet design encases a phonograph, radio, and speakers, illustrating the centrality of radios to modern American homes. The high gloss of black lacquer and bold grain of Macassar ebony distinguish its simple forms. Deskey often used these contrasting materials, notably in a multipurpose cabinet for the "Room of the Future" at Chicago’s 1933 Century of Progress exhibition.

This object was donated by Donald Deskey. It is credited Gift of Donald Deskey.

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

Its dimensions are

H x W: 23.8 × 35.4 cm (9 3/8 × 13 15/16 in.) Mat: 35.6 × 45.7 cm (14 × 18 in.)

It has the following markings

Stamp in black ink, lower right, parallel to right edge, DONALD DESKEY / ASSOCIATES

It is inscribed

Inscribed in graphite, center: FOLDING DOORS / WIDTH OF DOORS DETERMINED BY EXACT LOCATION OF SPEAKERS; in graphite, lower right: SCALE 1 1/2"—1'–0"; in graphite: dimensions, components, materials

Cite this object as

Drawing, Design for Radio and Phonograph Cabinet; Office of Donald Deskey Associates, Donald Deskey (American, 1894–1989); USA; graphite on tracing paper; H x W: 23.8 × 35.4 cm (9 3/8 × 13 15/16 in.) Mat: 35.6 × 45.7 cm (14 × 18 in.); Gift of Donald Deskey; 1988-101-1753

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition The World of Radio.

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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/18625061/ |title=Drawing, Design for Radio and Phonograph Cabinet |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=5 January 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>