Virginia Hamill

One of the first American women in the field of industrial and product design, Virginia Hamill (1898–1980) called herself a “decorative art consultant.” She was primarily known as an exhibition organizer and designer, retail merchandiser, product stylist, and interior designer and educator. The versatile Hamill’s clients included RCA Victor (for which she designed radio cases), the Libbey Glass Company (display and showroom design), Cannon Mills (color consultant), International Silver Company (product styling), and retailers R.H. Macy and Co., and Lord & Taylor (merchandising, expositions, public programs). She taught interior design at Parsons School of Design, and was considered influential in her use of department store exhibitions to introduce European modernist design to mainstream American consumers.

Works associated with this person or group

  • Dinette Sugar Bowl, ca. 1928

    Cylindrical form engraved with block letter “G” on side opposite handle; flat inset lid with low circular ebonized wood finial; trapezoidal ebonized wood handle on side.

  • Dinette Tray, ca. 1928

    Low, curved pewter form with flat rim and three rounded sections to receive circular teapot (-1) flanked by creamer (-2) and sugar bowl (-3); block letter “G” engraved in center;…

  • Dinette Teapot, ca. 1928

    Cylindrical form engraved with block letter “G” on side; flat inset hinged lid with low circular ebonized wood finial; triangular spout at front; trapezoidal ebonized wood handle at back.

  • Dinette Creamer, ca. 1928

    Cylindrical form engraved with block letter “G” on side; flat inset hinged lid with low circular ebonized wood finial; trapezoidal ebonized wood handle at back; triangular spout set perpendicular to…

  • Dinette Tea Set, ca. 1928

    Four-part pewter set consisting of cylindrical teapot, creamer, and sugar bowl (.1/3), on shaped tray (.4). All with trapezoidal ebonized wood handles, and engraved with block letter “G”. Teapot, creamer,…