#41487 Coles Phillips

The drawing presents a stylized depiction of a young woman seated on what appears to be a decorative chair or bench. The composition is framed by an ornate border featuring curvilinear motifs, suggesting elegance and refinement. Above the figure, bold lettering proclaims COMMUNITY PLATE, while below, a tagline asserts “Silverware of Quality.”
The woman’s posture conveys a sense of poised confidence. She turns her head slightly to gaze over her shoulder, creating a dynamic visual line that draws the viewers eye across the image. Her hair is styled in a fashionable bob, characteristic of the period. The dress she wears is strikingly patterned with swirling designs rendered in contrasting dark and light tones; its elaborate ornamentation emphasizes luxury and sophistication. She holds a long, slender object – possibly a cigarette holder – in her hand, an accessory indicative of contemporary social customs and aspirations for refined leisure.
The monochromatic palette contributes to the drawing’s graphic impact and lends it a timeless quality. The stark contrast between light and shadow defines form and adds depth to the composition. The overall effect is one of aspirational consumerism; the woman embodies the ideal lifestyle that the advertised silverware purportedly enables. She represents not just elegance, but also a particular social status – one attainable through the acquisition of high-quality goods.
The drawing’s subtext lies in its implicit promise: by purchasing Community Plate silverware, one can emulate the grace and sophistication embodied by the woman depicted. The image functions as an advertisement designed to appeal to consumers desires for upward mobility and social acceptance during a period marked by burgeoning consumer culture.