This wastebasket’s geometric form and motifs reflect the modern style and sensibility that emerged in late 1920s America following the 1925 Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes. Designer Donald Deskey attended the exposition and returned to the United States inspired by the modern aesthetics he saw there, which had not yet been embraced in America. Deskey was soon commissioned to design complete modern environments, both public and private, in New York City, including major department store windows, museum exhibitions, private residences, and the interior of Radio City Music Hall. Even less precious objects such as this wastebasket were not excluded from the notion of a fully modern environment.