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2019

2025

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Model, Ricinus Communis

This is a Model. It was manufactured by R. Brendel and Co..

This object is not part of the Cooper Hewitt's permanent collection. It was able to spend time at the museum on loan from National Museum of American History as part of Botanical Lessons.

It is dated 1875–1898. Its medium is wood, papier-mâché, cardboard, plaster, reed pith, metal, string, feathers, gelatin, glass and bone glue beads, cloth, metallic thread, horsehair, hemp, silk threads, paint, and shellac varnish. It is a part of the Exhibitions department.

Ricinus communis, popularly known as castor bean or castor-oil plant, is indigenous to Eastern Africa. The plant’s oil has been applied to many pharmaceutical and industrial uses throughout history, from fueling lamps in ancient Egypt to lubricating airplanes’ rotary engines flown by the Allies during World War I.

It is credited Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

  • Textile, Eden
  • 83% polyester, 17% cotton.
  • Gift of Maharam.
  • 2018-25-2
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Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 52.1 × 26.7 × 26.7 cm (20 1/2 × 10 1/2 × 10 1/2 in.)

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Botanical Lessons.

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

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/2318793578/ |title=Model, Ricinus Communis |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=7 May 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>