Master craftsmanship, luxurious materials, or sensuous forms often provide a veneer for objects that amplifies the pleasure of their use.

Design disguises what we wish to remain private, tempts us with luxuries large and small, feeds sensuous appetites, and—should we envy someone else’s possessions—ease our discontent with clever imitations.

Pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth—the seven deadly sins—find irresistible outlet in these objects chosen from Cooper Hewitt’s collection.