Walter Von Nessen Lighting
German, 1889-1943
Art Deco industrial designer Walter von Nessen is best known for his glamorous Machine Age lighting designs and for his invention of the swing-arm lamp. Von Nessen was born in Germany, where he studied under Bruno Paul at Berlin’s Kunstgewerbeschule. After World War I, he worked for the architect Peter Behrens, in Berlin. He left in 1919 for Stockholm, where he designed furniture until emigrating with his wife, Margaretta, to the United States in 1923. In 1927, the couple opened Nessen Studios in Manhattan, designing and selling sleek, modern architectural lighting.
Art Deco was both novel and exciting in the late 1920s — as, indeed, was electricity itself — and Nessen Studios was at the forefront of the movement. Electric lighting designers at the time had no direct models to follow. The shapes and silhouettes of gas lamps, lanterns and chandeliers had been influenced by those of the kerosene-, oil- and candle-lit fixtures that preceded them, which in turn were informed by the fuels they used. Electric lighting required designs that accommodated essentials of the new technology, like cords and sockets. Von Nessen and his contemporaries thus had to create fixtures that addressed these challenges and looked modern without appearing overly mechanical.
Along with industrial-design visionaries of the period like Raymond Loewy, Gilbert Rohde and Donald Deskey, von Nessen crafted a style that was emblematic of the Machine Age. He produced lamps and home accessories from spun aluminum, with smooth surfaces that evoked the polished gleam of streamlined automobiles and airplanes. And he experimented with other popular materials of the era, such as Bakelite, chrome and fiberglass. His ingenious design for the now-ubiquitous swing-arm lamp earned him a reputation as an innovator.
Von Nessen’s work is represented in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian National Design Museum, among other institutions. Designed to complement the luxurious interiors of the 1920s and ‘30s, still look fresh nearly a century later.
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Creator: Walter Von Nessen
Vintage Nessen Brass Task Desk Table Lamp Original Metal Diffuser Shade Finial
By Walter Von Nessen, Nessen Lighting
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage, mid century modern table or task lamp designed by Walter Von Nessen in the 1930's and produced in New York City sometime in the 1950's or 1960's by Nessen Lighting. This i...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Early Version Walter Von Nessen swing out floor lamp
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Buffalo, NY
One of the purest examples I have ever owned..Early and rare version of the now iconic Machine Age Nessen swing arm floor lamp. This lamp retains its (always replaced) glass shade as...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Stainless Steel
Walter Von Nessen Aluminum Swing Arm Floor Lamp
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Buffalo, NY
Walter Von Nessen Aluminum Swing Arm Floor Lamp ,, Wonderful example,, Retains original parchment shade (missing some boon-doggle) Minor dent to bottom,,3-way lamp (bulb) capability,...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Aluminum
1940s Vintage Walter Von Nessen Skyscraper Lamp
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Boston, MA
Skyscraper style lamp by Walter Von Nessen for Nessen Studio in New York, NY. Tall, sleek, dark and handsome, for a beautiful minimalist design. This large scale vintage lamp feature...
Category
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Stainless Steel
Walter Von Nessen Floor Lights
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Walter Von Nessen
Manufacturer: Nessen Lighting
Period and Model: Mid-Century Modern
Specs: Brushed Chrome
Condition
These Walter Van Nessen floor lights are...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Walter Von Nessen Black Marble and Brass Lamp Pair
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Westfield, NJ
Vintage circa 1960s Water Von Nessen lamp pair. Lamps have glass diffusers to hold shades. Black marble with white veining throughout and brass ne...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Marble, Brass
Walter Von Nessen Antiqued Brass Swing Arm Library Lamp
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in New York, NY
Walter Von Nessen by Nessen Studio / library table lamp in antiqued brass finish.
USA, circa 1970.
Features a swing arm and pivoting, perforated, cylindrical shade. Complemented b...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Modernist Leather and Steel Table Lamp by Walter Von Nessen c 1960's
By Walter Von Nessen, Nessen Studio
Located in New York, NY
Chic and sophisticated Modernist School table lamp by Walter Von Nessen, made by Nessen Studios. The cylindrical body is wrapped in black leather, the base is chrome and the top is ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American International Style Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Walter Von Nesson 'Skyscraper' Floor Lamp
By Jule Bouy, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Silvered metal floor lamp, circa 1930. Measure: Base is 10" x 10".
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Steel
1970s Modernist Chrome Cylinder Von Nessen Table Lamp New York
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Walter Von Nessen Midcentury Modern 1970s Bronx NY
Single Table Lamp Chrome Plated Modern Cylinder Tower Black Platform Base.
Two socket lamp.
No shade...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Chrome
Walter Von Nessen Table Lamp for Nessen Studios
By Nessen Studio, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walter von Nessen aluminum table lamp for Nessen Studio, c.1960s, USA. The table lamp features a curved aluminum stem and stainless steel base with original linen shade.
Dimensions
...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Stainless Steel, Aluminum
Walter Von Nessen Red Enamel and Brass Table Lamp 1930s Art Deco
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Troy, MI
Iconic table lamp designed by Walter Von Nessen circa 1930
Red enameled aluminum canopy shade with brass arm on a red base
Stamped Spear CL2 to base
Category
1930s Art Deco Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
1960's Modern Walter Von Nessen Carrara Marble Table Lamps
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in New York, NY
1960's mid-century modern solid Carrara Marble with brass hardware with original glass shades table lamps designed by Walter Von Nessen, in vintage original condition with minor wear...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Walter Von Nessen, Table Lamps, Chrome Metal, Burlap, USA, 1930s
By Nessen Lighting, Walter Von Nessen
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of chrome-plated metal and burlap fabric lampshades designed and produced by Walter Von Nessen, USA, 1930s.
Overall Dimensions (inches): 20.15" H x 10" W x 11" D
Bulb Specif...
Category
1930s American Machine Age Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Chrome
Brushed Aluminum Art Deco Demilune Wall Sconces by Walter Von Nessen, Pair
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Buffalo, NY
Pair of brushed aluminum Art Deco wall sconces with polished accents designed by Walter Von Nessen. circa 1930s. Classic design.
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Aluminum
Chrome Lamp with Burlap Shade by Nessen Lighting
By Nessen Studio, Nessen Lighting, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chrome lamp with burlap shade by Nessen Lighting.
Dimensions listed (14 in. diameter x 22 in. tall) are the overall dimensions of the lamp with the shade.
Category
1960s American International Style Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Iconic Walter Von Nessen Swing Arm Desk Lamp with Original Metal Shade
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful example of the iconic modernist swing arm desk lamp by Von Nessen. The lamp features a precisely machined articulating base, and the almost never seen original metal shade....
Category
Mid-20th Century American Bauhaus Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Steel
Vintage Walter von Nessen Torchiere Lamp
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage 'trumpet' torchiere lamp in off-white by Walter von Nessen. Manufacturer stamp under base.
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Metal
Pair of Walter & Greta Von Neesen Stainless Cylindrical Table Lamps, circa 1965
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of stainless cylindrical table lamps by the Nessen lighting Co. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear, no scratches or dings to the metal. Sold as a pair. Sh...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Stainless Steel
Walter Von Nessen 3-Way Torchiere
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in South Charleston, WV
Subtle off-white Early Walter Von Nessen lamp 11.25" wide and 64.5" tall. Holds an immense 300 watt incandescent bulb and has 3 power levels for illumination control. Tapered step an...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Steel
Art Deco Adjustable Walter Von Nessen Original Swing Arm Lamp Early Production
By Nessen Studio, Walter Von Nessen
Located in San Diego, CA
Early production on this floor lamp design by Walter Von Nessen for Nessen Studios, in brushed brass finish, great patina the arm moves back and forward and the pole goes up and down...
Category
20th Century American Art Deco Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Steel
Chrome and Linen Adjustable Floor Lamp by Nessen
By Nessen Studio, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A 1970s polish chrome with a vanilla linen shade adjustable floor lamp by Walter Von Nessen for Nessen Studios. The lamp has a swing arm and it raises up and down. Newly rewired.
D...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Chrome
Art Deco Machine Age Chrome and Black Torchiere Uplight Floor Lamp, Ca. 1930's
By Walter Von Nessen, Gilbert Rohde
Located in New York, NY
Rare Machine Age, Art Deco chrome and black uplight, torchiere, in very good, original, clean and working condition. Circa 1930's design in the style of Rohde, Deskey, Von Nessen etc...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Two Matching Walter Von Nessen Table Lamps, c. 1938
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Camden, ME
One of the very recognizable American lamps of the pre WW II Art Deco period.
Walter Von Nessen was a trained German industrial designer who arrived in ...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
Pair of MCM Walter Von Nessen Tall White Enameled Column Lamps
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of MCM Walter von Nessen tall white enameled column lamps
Of minimalist design, with a 4.5-inch diameter standing 16-inches high to the top...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Metal
Art Deco Brass Toy Soldier Table Lamp by Walter Von Nessen for Chase
By Chase and Co., Walter Von Nessen
Located in San Diego, CA
A very rare and difficult to find Art Deco brass & bakelite "Toy Soldier" table lamp by Walter Von Nessen for Chase, circa 1930s. The lamp is in very good working condition and measure 4.5" D x 16" H; the red toy...
Category
20th Century American Art Deco Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Brass
Walter Von Nessen Brass Swing Arm Table Lamp with Adjustable Cylindrical Shade
By Nessen Studio, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Attractive and highly functional desk / table lamp by Walter Von Nessen for his eponymous Nessen Studio (ca. 1970s, New York City). Features a swing arm and pivoting, perforated, cyl...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Brass
Walter Von Nessen Modern Swing Arm Floor Lamp
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in New York, NY
Walter Von Nessen for Nessen Studios modern floor lamp with adjustable swing arm, aluminum with basket-form metal shade, signed under weighted base "Nessen Studios No. 10."
Measures...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Aluminum
Pair of Nessen NT754 Polished Brass and Chrome Table Lamps
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in St. Louis, MO
Listed are a pair of Nessen NT754 polished brass with chrome disc. Shades are not original, (nice but not perfect), lamps are in very nice condition. Switch at bottom of lamp column,...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Pair of Brushed Stainless Steel Wall Scones by Walter Von Nessen
By Nessen Studio, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1970’s pair of brushed stainless steel wall sconces design by Walter Von Nessen for Nessen Studio.
The stainless steel is n original condition, so it shows minor wear.
They have a...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Stainless Steel
Walter Von Nessen Art Deco Skyscraper Style Frosted Glass & Black Enamel Uplight
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in New York, NY
This elegant and graphic Art Deco Machine Age uplight was realized by the celebrated designer Walter Von Nessen circa 1935. It Features a circular black enamel base from which stream...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Enamel, Brass
Walter Von Nessen Brushed Brass Swing-Arm Desk Lamp
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Chicago, IL
Early edition swing arm desk lamp by Walter Von Nessen Lighting. finished in brushed brass with original milk glass diffuser. Sold sans shade. Pair of desk lamps available.
Category
1950s American Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Milk Glass
Tall Walter Von Nessen, Nessen Studios Brass Inlaid Walnut "Tower" Table Lamp
By Nessen Studio, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Towering Walter Von Nessen designed Nessen Studios Walnut & Brass Table Lamp, 1960s. Featuring an architectural solid hardwood column with vertical brass inlay. Small footprint. Adju...
Category
1960s American Minimalist Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Brass
Walter Von Nessen Table Lamp
By Nessen Studio, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Chicago, IL
Walter Von Nessen swing arm table lamp with linen shade.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Metal
Modernist Walnut and Brass Table Lamp by Walter Von Nessen
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist walnut and brass table lamp by Walter Von Nessen, stunning walnut base, brushed brass standard, retains original milk glass c...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Nessen Studio Marble Table Lamps in Black Marble
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful pair of black and white veined marble block table lamps by Nessen Studio. These lamps are very heavy. We have fitted for normal shades. Wi...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Marble, Metal
Walter Von Nessen Floor Lamp Early Version
By Walter Von Nessen, Nessen Studio
Located in New York, NY
Early and rare version of the now iconic Machine Age Nessen swing arm floor lamp. The construction of this example dates the lamp from the...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Machine Age Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Steel
Early Pair of Von Nessen Swing Arm Table Lamps
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A rare pair of brushed chrome desk lamps, with the original early light switches on the base of the lamps.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Chrome
Table Lamp by Walter Von Nessen
By Nessen Studio, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A corrugated patinated brass table lamp with a glass diffuser shade to direct light upwards and a fabric shade to soften the glow.
Category
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Brass
Art Deco Modernistic Table Lamp by Leroy C. Doane for Miller
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare table lamp designed by Leroy C. Doane for Miller Lamp Company, USA. Originally desinged in 1928 and with US Patent No. 1,818,120 - Filed July 7, 1928, the lamp later went thro...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Enamel, Steel
Pair of Italian Polished Marble Table Lamps, Von Neesen
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Solid Pair of stunning Italian Carrara marble table lamps. Beveled vertical edges. UL listed double socket good for 300+ wattage. In...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Marble, Brass
Early 1930s Walter Von Nessen Floor Lamp, Art Deco
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Buffalo, NY
Great example, Art Deco, Bauhaus, Walter Von Nessen adjustable height floor lamp. From 50" -58", retains original milk glass shade, also original white bakelite on/off switch, brass ...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Brass
American Mid Century Multidirectional Desk Lamp by Walter Von Nessen
By Nessen Studio, Walter Von Nessen
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and rare multidirectional desk lamp by Nessen Studios in chrome finish and steel, with perforated shade shown that rotates side to side, and the classic Nessen arm retracta...
Category
20th Century American Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Chrome
Pair of Early Art Deco Floor Lamps by Walter Von Nessen
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of early Art Deco floor lamps, designed by Walter Von Nessen for Nessen Studios, American, circa 1940s. They slide up and down for an adjustable height. They have been rewired a...
Category
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Walter Von Nessen Lighting
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Walter Von Nessen lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Walter Von Nessen lighting are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Walter Von Nessen lighting, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original lighting by Walter Von Nessen were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider lighting by Rembrandt Lamp Company, Nessen Studio, and Tommi Parzinger. Prices for Walter Von Nessen lighting can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $575 and can go as high as $7,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,650.