2025 Informal Serving Accessories Line
A gallery of select spun aluminum gifts from the Gary and Laura Maurer Collection
Informal SERVING ACCESSORIES LINE
Gifts of Gary and Laura Maurer
Spun aluminum marked an early success for Mary and Russel Wright. While Russel began designing pewter and chrome-plated objects in the early 1930s, the couple’s move to a new residence at 135 East 35th Street enabled them to bring production in-house. Finding that manufacturing such metals was beyond his means, Wright found inspiration in aluminum, a material embraced by the emerging field of aeronautics. Cool metal in geometric shapes was juxtaposed with wood knobs and handles; cork and rattan sleeves made the pieces warm to the touch.
Mary Wright’s business acumen and extensive social network played a crucial role in bringing these designs to market. Among her marketing innovations were print advertisements that grouped items such as cups, trays, and pitchers into themed occasions, like “Sunday Breakfast” or “After Bridge” snacks. These curated sets underscored the couple’s emerging philosophy of “Casual Elegance” and “Design for Easier Living.”
