Pot Trivets c. 1938

Salvatore Borrazzo made this drawing of pot trivets using graphite on paper. It shows two versions of a humble, utilitarian object, likely meant for use in the kitchen over a heat source. The image might seem simple, but it invites us to consider the value placed on everyday objects, particularly those associated with domestic labor. In this period, institutions like museums were beginning to collect and display artifacts from everyday life, reflecting a growing interest in the material culture of ordinary people. Borrazzo's careful rendering elevates these trivets, prompting questions about their design, production, and use. Where were they made? By whom? Were they mass-produced or crafted by local artisans? The drawing acts as an archive preserving knowledge of this historical object. By looking at the design and the skill involved in its manufacture, we get insight into the social and economic conditions that shaped its creation and how institutions chose which aspects of culture were valuable and worth preserving.