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.
Pair of Chrome Elephant Bookends by Walter von Nessen for Chase USA
By Chase Brass and Copper Company, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of chrome bookends by Walter von Nessen for Chase, c.1930s, USA. The pair of bookends feature two chrome plated brass elephants with curved tubular bodies and geometric shaped h...
Brass, Chrome
$380Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 10.5 in W 10.5 in D 7.5 in
Massive Pair of Brass on Walnut Base Rams Head Bookends by Sarreid
By Sarreid Ltd.
Located in San Diego, CA
A massive pair of brass rams head bookends on walnut bases by Sarreid, circa 1970s. The bookends, which were made in Spain, are in very good condition and have a great look. They mea...
Pine
Pair of Japanese Bronze Bookends, circa 1880
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Japanese Bronze Bookends, circa 1880
Bronze
Art Deco Pair of Elephant Bookends, French, C1930
Located in Devon, England
Very stylish and rare matching pair of Art Deco bookends. These are a great find and in exceptional condition. Originating from France and dating to the 1930s both stand on marble ba...
Marble, Spelter
$265 / set
H 2.5 in W 2.5 in D 2.5 in
Art Deco Chrome & Cobalt Blue Glass Candleholders by Walter Von Nessen for Chase
By Walter Von Nessen, Chase and Co.
Located in New York, NY
This stunning pair of Art Deco candleholders, designed by Walter Von Nessen for Chase in circa 1935, embodies the innovative elegance of Machine Age design. Von Nessen's work is cele...
Chrome
Art Deco Pair of Bookends by André Vincent Becquerel
By André Vincent Becquerel
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of silver plated bronze bookends depicting two horses seating on a marble by André Vincent Becquerel Made in France Circa:1930 Signatur...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Pair of Roman Column Marble Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of Roman column green marble bookends, circa 1970s. The marble is beautifully veined and in great condition and the bookends together crea...
Marble
Pair of Art Deco Bronze Bird Bookend by Jamar
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Beautiful pair of bronze bookends on marble by the famous French sculptor mostly made animals.
Marble, Bronze
$1,245 / set
H 4.75 in W 8.5 in D 4 in
Pair of Art Deco Copper Candlestick Holders by Walter von Nessen signed Chase
By Walter Von Nessen, Chase and Co.
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite pair of Art Deco copper candlestick holders, designed by renowned modernist Walter von Nessen for Chase Brass & Copper Company, exemplifies the bold elegance and strea...
Copper
$520Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.5 in W 5.25 in D 5.25 in
Original Set of Design Line Chrome Jax Jacks Sculpture Bookends by Bill Curry
By Bill Curry & Design Line
Located in San Diego, CA
Wonderful original pair of matching jax/jacks bookends made by Design Line and designed by Bill Curry. These date from the 1960's. Made of cast iron and have their original chrome fi...
Chrome, Iron
$465 / set
H 10 in W 8.5 in D 4 in
Art Deco Chrome "Taurex" Candlestick Holders by Walter Von Nessen for Chase
By Walter Von Nessen, Chase and Co.
Located in New York, NY
This stunning pair of "Taurex" candlestick holders, designed by Walter Von Nessen for the Chase Brass & Copper Company, exemplifies the elegance and innovation of American Art De...
Chrome
Pair of Teak Signed Balinese Sculptures Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Hand Carved Signed Balinese figure bookends or sculptures - two outstanding carved wood figures - both intricately carved. The pair are lovely island people and can work as ...
Teak
$340Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 7.5 in W 10 in D 5.5 in
Pair of Hand Carved Knotty Pine Wood Eagle Head Bookends by Sarreid
By Sarreid Ltd.
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking pair of hand carved knotty pine eagle head bookends by Sarreid, circa 1970s. The bookends, which were made in Spain, are in very good condition and have a white wash overl...
Pine
Pair of Ring Bookends by Walter von Nessen for Chase USA
By Chase Brass and Copper Company, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of brass and copper art deco machine age bookends by Walter von Nessen for Chase, c.1930s, USA. The pair of bookends feature two circles, one larger in a patinated satin copper ...
Brass, Copper
Sold
H 4.75 in W 4.5 in D 3.5 in
Pair of Brass and Wood Block Bookends by Walter von Nessen for Chase USA
By Chase Brass and Copper Company, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of brass and wood bookends by Walter von Nessen for Chase, c.1930s, USA. The pair of bookends feature two brass figures with curved tubular bodies and geometric shaped wood head...
Brass
Single Brass Elephant Bookend by Walter von Nessen for Chase USA
By Chase Brass and Copper Company, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brass bookend by Walter von Nessen for Chase, c.1930s, USA. The single bookend or sculpture features a brass elephant with curved tubular body and geometric shaped head with delicate...
Brass
Pair of Ring Bookends by Walter von Nessen for Chase USA
By Chase Brass and Copper Company, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of nickel and copper art deco machine age bookends by Walter von Nessen for Chase, c.1930s, USA. The pair of bookends feature two circles, one larger in a black satin enameled c...
Copper, Enamel, Nickel
Sold
H 8.5 in W 4.5 in D 4.75 in
Art Deco Stylized Cat Door Stop by Walter Von Neesen for Chase, circa 1935
By Chase and Co., Walter Von Nessen
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous simple yet elegant design by Walter Von Neesen for Chase circa 1935. Brass & copper stylized in the form of a arching cat. Rare find. In excellent vintage condition with min...
Brass, Copper
Pair of Brass Elephant Bookends by Walter Von Nessen for Chase USA
By Chase Brass and Copper Company, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of brass bookends by Walter von Nessen for Chase, circa 1930s, USA. The pair of bookends feature two brass elephants with curved tubular bodies and geometric shaped heads with d...
Brass
Sold
H 2.5 in W 2 in D 2 in
Art Deco 1930's Walter Von Nessen for Chase Brass & Enamel Dinner Bell W/Bird
By Chase and Co., Walter Von Nessen
Located in San Diego, CA
Fine Art Deco Walter Von Nessen designed bird figural dinner bell made by Chase. The bess was made in the 1930's. Made of chrome plated brass. The bird is brass with a black enamel o...
Brass, Chrome
Walter Von Nessen Black Stainless Steel Cat Door Stop for Chase USA
By Chase and Co., Walter Von Nessen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Art Deco stainless steel door stop by Walter Von Nessen c.1930's, for Chase USA. This fun piece features a black painted stainless steel arched body with wid...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 6.25 in W 4 in D 2.5 in
Pair of Stainless Steel Horse Bookends by Walter von Nessen for Chase USA
By Chase and Co., Walter Von Nessen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of patinated stainless steel bookends by Walter von Nessen for Chase, c.1930s, USA. The pair of bookends feature a black painted metal base with geometric horse figures in a gol...
Stainless Steel, Metal
Enameled Brass Ashtray by Chase
By Chase and Co., Walter Von Nessen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Art Deco brass ashtray c.1930's, Chase USA. This bird ashtray features a brass body finished in black and cream enamel. The beak tilts to allow ash into the ...
Brass
Walter Von Nessen Copper and Brass Cat Door Stop for Chase USA
By Chase Brass and Copper Company, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Art Deco copper and brass door stop by Walter Von Nessen c.1930's, for Chase USA. This fun piece features a copper arched body on a brass base, with cat face...
Brass, Copper
Walter von Nessen Art Deco Bookends
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of sculptural Art Deco bookends, designed by Walter Von Nessen for Chase, unsigned, American, circa 1930s. They are believed to be constructed of brass, but have taken on a warm...
Metal, Brass