MANITOGA DESIGN COLLECTION + SHOP

THE DESIGN COLLECTION

The MANITOGA Design Collection + Shop features rotating displays from our Design Collection of over 3,000 objects by Russel and Mary Wright.

CURRENTLY ON VIEW: INFORMAL SERVING ACCESSORIES

Gifts of Gary & Laura Maurer, 2025

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. “The acquisition of a few tubes and sheets of aluminum,” recalled Wright, “was exciting for a young designer who wanted to design everything and had only a workbench and a spinning lathe.” Using an abrasive emery cloth he replicated the smooth finish of pewter, discovering in aluminum a versatile medium for creating inventive modern forms. 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. Her public relations initiatives ranged from radio ads and in-store demonstrations to meetings with magazine editors. 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, along with their in-store demonstrations, underscored the couple’s emerging philosophy of “Casual Elegance” and “Design for Easier Living.” Even in this early stage of their creative partnership, the Wright’s philosophy for modern living was at the core of their practice.   

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