Flat Iron Holder c. 1939

This is Milton Grubstein's design of a flat iron holder. Notice the figure of a woman, possibly an angel, playing a harp. This motif evokes classical antiquity, where music and harmony were often personified by female figures. Consider how such figures, linking music to the divine, appear in Renaissance paintings, often symbolizing spiritual harmony and enlightenment. Here, in this design for a commonplace household object, the echo of the divine is faint. The transformation reflects a democratizing impulse, bringing high art motifs into everyday life. But, the juxtaposition creates tension. Is it an attempt to ennoble domestic labor, or does it unconsciously reveal the drudgery of the tasks performed with this tool? The emotional pull here lies in this contrast—the aspiration towards beauty and the grounding reality of daily life. This echoes through time, resurfacing in unexpected places, revealing the cyclical nature of cultural memory.