Pennies In Lucite
Late 20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights
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20th Century American Modern Paperweights
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Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paperweights
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Materials: Plastic Furniture
Arguably the world’s most ubiquitous man-made material, plastic has impacted nearly every industry. In contemporary spaces, new and vintage plastic furniture is quite popular and its use pairs well with a range of design styles.
From the Italian lighting artisans at Fontana Arte to venturesome Scandinavian modernists such as Verner Panton, who created groundbreaking interiors as much as he did seating — see his revolutionary Panton chair — to contemporary multidisciplinary artists like Faye Toogood, furniture designers have been pushing the boundaries of plastic forever.
When The Graduate's Mr. McGuire proclaimed, “There’s a great future in plastics,” it was more than a laugh line. The iconic quote is an allusion both to society’s reliance on and its love affair with plastic. Before the material became an integral part of our lives — used in everything from clothing to storage to beauty and beyond — people relied on earthly elements for manufacturing, a process as time-consuming as it was costly.
Soon after American inventor John Wesley Hyatt created celluloid, which could mimic luxury products like tortoiseshell and ivory, production hit fever pitch, and the floodgates opened for others to explore plastic’s full potential. The material altered the history of design — mid-century modern legends Charles and Ray Eames, Joe Colombo and Eero Saarinen regularly experimented with plastics in the development of tables and chairs, and today plastic furnishings and decorative objects are seen as often indoors as they are outside.
Find vintage plastic lounge chairs, outdoor furniture, lighting and more on 1stDibs.
- What is a penny scale?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023A penny scale is one of the first coin-operated vending machines ever made. When you deposit a penny and stand on the scale, the machine displays your weight in pounds on a dial. The first penny scales appeared in drugstores, carnivals and other public places during the 1880s. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of penny scales.
- Who invented the penny scale?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023Percival Everitt is believed to have invented the penny scale. He obtained the first patent for one in England in 1884. The first penny scales arrived in the U.S. in 1885 and were popular methods of tracking weight through the 1930s and 40s. On 1stDibs, find a selection of penny scales.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024The classic shoes are called penny loafers due to how people styled them when they first emerged during the early 20th century. Young people often stashed pennies in the instep cutouts of the shoes. Initially, this was likely done out of necessity. By placing a couple of coins here, an adolescent or young adult could have some change on hand if they needed to make a call on a payphone. Eventually, slipping in the coins became a style trend that inspired the name of the footwear style. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of penny loafers.
- What is a penny rug used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021Penny rugs are not actual rugs for the floor, but decorative coverings for beds, tables and dressers, and mantles. Sometimes they are used as wall hangings or pillows. Find a great variety of penny rugs on 1stDibs.
- What color is Lucite?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021Lucite is crystal clear but can be dyed with various colors. Lucite is an acrylic plastic resin used primarily in windows and fashionable interior and furniture design due to its strength, crystal transparency and flexibility. Find a vast collection of Lucite items ranging from furniture, lighting and jewelry pieces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 20, 2024The difference between acrylic and Lucite is that one is a brand name for the other. Acrylic is a thermoplastic resin or plastic, also known by the scientific name polymethyl methacrylate. Lucite is a brand of acrylic produced through a proprietary process that makes it clearer and more resistant to the effects of UV and chemicals. On 1stDibs, find an assortment of Lucite and other acrylic furniture.
- How do I clean a Lucite purse?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To clean a Lucite purse, use a soft cloth dampened with warm water and mild dish soap. Wipe all over and then dry with a second soft cloth. Remove fingerprints with window cleaner and a lint-free cloth. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Lucite purses.
- How is a Lucite purse made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Lucite is a high-end version of acrylic. Shaping acrylic simply requires heating up the material and then bending or molding it. Once lucite or acrylic cools, it then holds its shape and is rigid and durable. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic lucite handbags from some of the world’s top sellers.
- How do I make Lucite grapes?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To make Lucite grapes, pour a resin mixture by using a funnel into small sphere molds. After roughly 24 hours, you can remove your grapes from the mold and style as you like. Save the hassle and shop Lucite grapes from top sellers on 1stDibs.
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