Small, lidded box and dish decorated with abstracted faces of women and colorful geometric forms.

Dresser Boxes and Dishes

Lidded Box and Dish
probably Austria, circa 1925

enameled copper
Lent in memory of Elaine Wormser Reis

An array of fanciful, colorful enameled dishes and boxes, used to hold jewelry and other accoutrements, sat atop Elaine’s dressing table. Although they are unmarked, they are similar to small vessels made in Austria at the time. It is unclear whether Urban or Elaine added them to the room. In later years, Elaine recalled shopping at stores in New York and Chicago that featured modern design.

Black and white photo of a room featuring a dramatically lit corner case and shelves with small decorative objects on display.
Part of the new “Modern Room” at Marshall Field and Company, Chicago, in “Chicago and the Mid-West: Marshall Field and Co.’s Exhibit of Contemporary Art,” Crockery and Glass Journal, April 1, 1929. From the Collection of the Center for Research Libraries.
Small, lidded box and dish decorated with abstracted faces of women and colorful geometric forms.

Lidded Box and Dish
probably Austria, circa 1925

enameled copper
Lent in memory of Elaine Wormser Reis

Small black dish decorated with an abstract dancing figure and colorful geometric forms.

Dish
probably Austria, circa 1925

Enameled copper
Gift of Mrs. Thomas J. Reis
1973.776

Small dish decorated with colorful, patchwork-like shapes.

Dish
Probably Austria, circa 1925

Enameled copper
Gift of Mary Reis Sullivan, John Reis and Richard Reis in memory of their mother Elaine Wormser Reis
2018.146