Tin Coffee Pot 1935 - 1942

Carl Strehlau rendered this tin coffee pot in watercolor, ink, and graphite on paper. Strehlau’s artistic practice was deeply rooted in the Index of American Design, a New Deal program which documented American material culture during the 1930s and 40s. This project came about during a period of immense economic hardship and social upheaval. Artists were tasked with creating detailed records of everyday objects, preserving a sense of national identity. Strehlau’s work reflects a broader effort to define and celebrate American craftsmanship and ingenuity. The coffee pot, an emblem of domestic life, is rendered with meticulous attention to detail. Its presence speaks volumes about the rituals, values, and social structures of the time. What stories might this humble object tell about the lives of those who used it? What can it reveal about gender roles, class distinctions, and cultural traditions? The coffee pot becomes more than a simple vessel, reflecting our collective memory.