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Thumbnail-size images of copyrighted artworks are displayed under fair use, in accordance with guidelines recommended by the Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for the Visual Arts, published by the College Art Association in February 2015.
Set of five "Soda King" syphon bottles
Designed by: Norman Bel Geddes (American, 1893–1958)
Designed by: Worthen Paxton
Manufactured by: Walter Kidde Sales Co. (founded in 1900)
Designed by: Worthen Paxton
Manufactured by: Walter Kidde Sales Co. (founded in 1900)
designed 1938
Object Place: Bloomfield, New Jersey
Medium/Technique
Chrome-plated brass, paint, and rubber.
Dimensions
Overall (each): 24.77 x 12.07 x 10.16 cm (9 3/4 x 4 3/4 x 4 in.)
Credit Line
The John Axelrod Collection
Accession Number2014.1277.1-5
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAmericas
ClassificationsTableware
DescriptionSet of five seltzer bottles, each with a different color top: blue, black, red, cream, and silver.
The cylindrical, domed-top, "rocket-shaped," bottles are constructed in three sections. The cylindrical base and central band are both of unadorned chrome-plated brass. The band screws into the base. The domed top, which is 1/3 of each bottle's overall height, is also composed of brass then finished in a variety of colors: chrome, black, yellow, red, or blue paint. The top has a chrome button at the highest point and a single beak-shaped spout which terminates at the chrome base.
The cylindrical, domed-top, "rocket-shaped," bottles are constructed in three sections. The cylindrical base and central band are both of unadorned chrome-plated brass. The band screws into the base. The domed top, which is 1/3 of each bottle's overall height, is also composed of brass then finished in a variety of colors: chrome, black, yellow, red, or blue paint. The top has a chrome button at the highest point and a single beak-shaped spout which terminates at the chrome base.
Marks
Stamped into base:
[in circle around exterior: ]
"WALTER KIDDE SALES CO. INC., BLOOMFIELD, N.J. / DESIGNER- NORMAN BEL GEDDES"
[inside circle]:
"PAT 20535 / OTHERS PEND. / SODA KING / SYPHON / MADE IN / U.S.A."
[in circle around exterior: ]
"WALTER KIDDE SALES CO. INC., BLOOMFIELD, N.J. / DESIGNER- NORMAN BEL GEDDES"
[inside circle]:
"PAT 20535 / OTHERS PEND. / SODA KING / SYPHON / MADE IN / U.S.A."
ProvenanceBy 2006, owned by Mark McDonald (dealer) Hudson, New York; March 15, 2006, sold by McDonald to John Axelrod, Boston, Massachusetts; 2008, promised gift of John Axelrod to the Museum; 2014, gift of Axelrod to the MFA. (Accession date: October 29, 2014)