See more objects with the tag domestic, collapsible, modernism, seating, writing, multipurpose, books, reading, sleeping.

Object Timeline

1933

  • Work on this object began.

1935

  • Work on this object ended.

2014

2015

2017

2025

  • You found it!

Daybed (USA)

This is a Daybed. It is dated 1933–1935 and we acquired it in 2014. Its medium is birch-faced plywood, tulip poplar, nickel-plated steel. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

Commissioned for a domestic interior by textile designer Marguerita Mergentime, this daybed is a testament to architect-designer Kiesler’s landmark modern and functionalist style. One of two similar daybeds for the Mergentime commission, it is a transitional piece between sharp, geometric modernism and Kiesler’s later, highly organic biomorphic style. The daybed is devoted to utility, complete with bookshelves, drawers, or cabinets in each panel, a movable tray table and reading stand, and an overhead lamp.

This object was donated by Virginia Bayer. It is credited Gift of Virginia Bayer.

  • Desk (USA)
  • lacquered wood, painted canvas, chromed metal.
  • Gift of Joel and Anne Ehrenkranz.
  • 2006-24-1
  • Drawing, Design for Daybed
  • graphite, color pencil on tracing paper.
  • Museum purchase through gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
  • 2003-15-12

Our curators have highlighted 4 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

  • Barcelona Chair
  • hand-forged steel, hemp.
  • Museum purchase from Smithsonian Institution Collections Acquisition Program,....
  • 2000-12-1-a,b
  •
  • Zephyr Clock
  • brass, copper, bakelite, metal works.
  • Museum purchase from the Decorative Arts Association Acquisition Fund.
  • 1994-73-3
  •
  • Model 3626 Vanity
  • walnut, white acer, glass, metal.
  • Gift of Jack R. Stokvis and Robert E. Stokvis.
  • 2011-52-1-a,b

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 96.5 × 116.8 × 127 cm (38 × 46 × 50 in.)

Cite this object as

Daybed (USA); birch-faced plywood, tulip poplar, nickel-plated steel; H x W x D: 96.5 × 116.8 × 127 cm (38 × 46 × 50 in.); Gift of Virginia Bayer; 2014-27-1-a/e

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition The Jazz Age: American Style in the 1920s.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/68743505/ |title=Daybed (USA) |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=10 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>