Not currently on display at the V&A

Thermos Flask

ca.1950 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Child's Thermos flask with push-on stopper, and cup which screws on to the flask when not in use.

The flask is a metal canister, white metal base and collar, cream plastic lip and silvered glass inner. The canister is printed with a map of the world in colour on a beige background (which has a broken line pattern of waves in dark blue) and the design is embellished with motifs of boats, birds, sea creatures and an anchor. The metal collar is threaded to hold the cup securely, and the lip has an everted ridge which fits into the recessed rim of the stopper.

Moulded cream plastic stopper for a child's Thermos flask. The stopper has a recessed inner lip and an integral plastic bung, and pushes into the lip of the flask. The top of the stopper has a central disc of silver grey plastic moulded with the trade mark etc.

Moulded cream plastic cup for a child's Thermos flask. The cup has slightly curved tapering sides, and a threaded inner rim to attach it to the flask.


Object details
Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Flask
  • Stopper
  • Cup
Materials and techniques
Printed plastic, metal, glass
Brief description
Thermos flask for a child featuring a World map design, England, about 1950
Physical description
Child's Thermos flask with push-on stopper, and cup which screws on to the flask when not in use.



The flask is a metal canister, white metal base and collar, cream plastic lip and silvered glass inner. The canister is printed with a map of the world in colour on a beige background (which has a broken line pattern of waves in dark blue) and the design is embellished with motifs of boats, birds, sea creatures and an anchor. The metal collar is threaded to hold the cup securely, and the lip has an everted ridge which fits into the recessed rim of the stopper.



Moulded cream plastic stopper for a child's Thermos flask. The stopper has a recessed inner lip and an integral plastic bung, and pushes into the lip of the flask. The top of the stopper has a central disc of silver grey plastic moulded with the trade mark etc.



Moulded cream plastic cup for a child's Thermos flask. The cup has slightly curved tapering sides, and a threaded inner rim to attach it to the flask.
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
THERMOS REG.TRADE MARK THERMOS LIMITED LONDON ENGLAND
Credit line
Given by Mary Kempson
Object history
Used by the donor Mary Kempson, born in 1938
Historical context
From donor's letter of 21/03/1999) "the thermos flask...reminds me of day trips to Southend with my Aunty Dolly just after the war, eating gritty sandwiches and drinking luke warm tea"
Production
Reason For Production: Retail
Subjects depicted
Other number
MODEL 15½
Collection
Accession number
B.86:1 to 3-1999

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Record createdNovember 24, 1999
Record URL
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