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.
Coffee Urn, "Coronet Pattern", Model No. 90121
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare Art Deco Coffee Urn, "Coronet Pattern", Model No. 90121 designed by Walter Von Nessen. Fantastic vintage conditions.
Steel
Chase Three Piece Comet Tea Service Set with Bakelite Accents
By Chase Brass and Copper Company, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three-piece spherical tea set by Walter von Nessen for Chase, USA, c.1940s. The set includes an electric tea pot, creamer and sugar bowl with bone colored Bakelite handles. The chrom...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
14 pc. Art Deco Heisey Stanhope Dessert Set Designed by Walter Von Nessen 1930's
By Heisey Glass Company, Walter Von Nessen
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Art Deco, Machine Age, Hollywood Regency style dessert set designed by Walter Von Nessen, for Heisey, as part of the hard to find Stanhope series. The seat is in excellen...
Glass, Plastic
$140Sale Price / set|20% Off
Rare Art Deco Set of Sugar and Creamer Designed by Walter Von Nessen
By Manning Bowman, Walter Von Nessen
Located in San Diego, CA
A rare set of chrome sugar and creamer, with bakelite, handles designed by Walter Von Nessen, for Manning Bowman in very good condition, circa 1930s.
Chrome
Three-Piece Tea Set with Tray by Walter Von Nessen for Chase
By Chase Brass and Copper Company, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three piece tea set with round tray by Walter von Nessen for Chase, USA, c.1930s. The set includes a tea pot, creamer and sugar bowl with Bakelite handles. The round tray showcases a...
Copper
Toothpick Server by Russel Wright for Chase
By Chase Brass and Copper Company, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A polished silver sphere with multiple perforations for holding and dispensing toothpicks. Stamped "Chase USA".
Chrome, Steel
19th Century English Silver Plate Samovar / Tea Urn
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid 19th century English silver plated samovar / tea or coffee urn with Ram detail side handles and finial lid on square footed base . The samova...
Silver Plate, Copper
$3,800 / set
H 0.79 in W 3.94 in D 0.79 in
Set of 12 Fine French Art Deco Silver Plated "Gallia" Knife Rests by Christofle
By Marcel Eduoard Sandoz, Gallia, Christofle
Located in Long Island City, NY
Set of 12 fine French Art Deco silver plated knife rests designed by Edouard-Marcel Sandoz for the Gallia collection of Christofle. All 12 animals are different. Original case. Aver...
Silver Plate
$78 / item
H 7.09 in Dm 7.49 in
Campana Small Vase or Ice Bucket in Glass Blown in a Mold Designed by Aldo Cibic
By Aldo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Campana is a blown in a mold glass vase designed by Aldo Cibic, a useful and versatile object that can be both a flower vase and an ice bucket. Its simple and elegant Silhouette make...
Blown Glass
Edwardian Sterling Silver Three-Piece Tea Service
By Williams Ltd
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Edwardian English sterling silver three piece tea service / set; an addition to our silver teaware collection. This fine antique Edwardian sterling silver tea service consists of a teapot, sugar bowl and cream jug Each component has an oval rounded form to a plain oval collet foot. The lower portions of the teapot, cream jug and sugar bowl are embellished with embossed fluted ornamentation. The flared upper rim of the cream jug and sugar bowl, and shoulders of the teapot are ornamented with an impressive applied gadroon decorated border. The large teapot is fitted with a domed hinged hallmarked cover, which features further embossed convex fluted decoration. The cover is surmounted by the original carved oval fluted painted wood and sterling silver finial. The teapot retains the original plain angular carved painted wood handle with a carved scroll style thumbpiece. The cream jug and sugar bowl have plain angular sterling silver handles ornamented with subtle applied decoration. Condition This antique sterling silver tea service...
Sterling Silver
$650
H 9.25 in W 9 in D 8.5 in
Chase Art Deco Chrome Champagne Ice Bucket Lurelle Guild Rockwell Kent Design
By Chase Brass and Copper Company, Rockwell Kent
Located in Chicago, IL
This chrome-plated champagne bucket has a Classic Art Deco style. The top edge is stepped and trimmed with a ribbed band; the front is adorned with a decorative plaque depicting Bacc...
Chrome
$595
H 4 in W 4.5 in D 1.88 in
French Art Deco Tortoiseshell and Butterscotch Bakelite Cocktail Pick Set
Located in Nantucket, MA
French Art Deco cocktail picks and stand. Eight chrome plated forked picks with translucent red cherry tops in a faux tortoise Bakelite stand w...
Chrome
$4,742
H 9.85 in W 17.72 in D 13.39 in
BOREAL Art Deco 118 Pc Silvered Flatware Set Luc Lanel Christofle in case
By Luc Lanel
Located in Antwerp, BE
Art Deco silver plated cutlery set BOREAL 118 pc. Designed by Luc Lanel for Christofle. France. Model designed in 1929. Production: Mid Century. The set is contained in a 4 drawer ...
Metal, Silver Plate
$3,200 / set
H 0.79 in W 3.94 in D 0.79 in
Set of 12 Fine French Art Deco Silver plated "Gallia" Knife Rests by Christofle
By Christofle, Marcel Eduoard Sandoz
Located in Long Island City, NY
Set of 12 fine French Art Deco silver plated knife rests designed by Marcel Sandoz for the Gallia collection of Christofle. Six different animals are rep...
Silver Plate, Metal
Art Deco Bakelite Novelty Cocktail Stick Set, French, c1930
Located in Devon, England
A novelty 1930s cocktail stick set originating from France. Features multi coloured Bakelite cocktail sticks with chromed metal prongs inside a cher...
Chrome
$5,850 / set
H 5 in W 7.3 in D 6.5 in
Japanese Three-Piece Porcelain Tea Service Set Contemporary Gold Red Kutani
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Extraordinary Japanese contemporary museum-quality Kutani three-piece tea service set, generously gilded with high purity gold and extremely intricately hand-painted in red and green...
Gold
Art Deco 1930s Czech Glass Decanter Set
By Karl Palda
Located in Devon, England
For those discerning buyers who are seeking something a little different without compromising quality we offer this very stylish and appealing Art Deco decanter set for your consider...
Glass
Sold|$465
H 8.75 in Dm 5.5 in
Art Deco "Viking" Chrome Cocktail Pitcher by Walter Von Nessen for Chase
By Walter Von Nessen, Chase and Co.
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Art Deco "Viking" chrome cocktail pitcher, designed by Walter Von Nessen for Chase circa 1935, represents the epitome of sleek, modernist design from the Machine Age. C...
Chrome
Art Deco "Viking" Chrome Cocktail Pitcher by Walter Von Nessen for Chase
By Walter Von Nessen, Chase and Co.
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Art Deco "Viking" chrome cocktail pitcher, designed by Walter Von Nessen for Chase circa 1935, represents the epitome of sleek, modernist design from the Machine Age. C...
Chrome
American Art Deco Chrome Bakelite Samovar Walter Von Nessen
By Chase Brass and Copper Company, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Rochester, NY
American Art Deco / Machine age chrome plated brass and bakelite Coronet samovar model 17088 ( coffee urn ) designed by Walter Von Nessen for Chase Brass and Copper Company, 1938. Ma...
Chrome
American Art Deco Rare Chrome Plated Serving Tray by Chase
By Chase Brass and Copper Company, Walter Von Nessen
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and rare chrome plated art deco tray by Chase some light wear on the center stamped at the bottom.
Chrome
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
Three-Piece Tea Set by Walter Von Nessen for Chase
By Chase Brass and Copper Company, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three piece tea set by Walter von Nessen for Chase, USA, c.1930s. The set includes a tea pot, creamer and sugar bowl with Bakelite handles....
Copper
Sparta Copper Pitcher with White Bakelite Handle
By Chase and Co., Walter Von Nessen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Art Deco water pitcher c.1930's, designed by Walter Von Nessen for Chase USA makes for a fun decorative piece. The pitcher features a white...
Copper
Striking Art Deco Sparta Copper Water Pitcher by Walter Von Nessen Chase, 1938
By Chase Brass and Copper Company, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your pleasure: Striking Modern Elegant Art Deco by Chase, copper plated pitcher with sensational bakelite handle Sparta Water Pitcher was offered by Chase 1936-42, design is at...
Copper
Walter Von Nessen Tray for Chase Brass and Copper Company
By Chase Brass and Copper Company, Walter Von Nessen
Located in San Mateo, CA
Chase Tiffin tray in copper designed by Walter Von Nessen. This tray is in original condition. It shows normal wear. There is some paint loss on the wood handles. One side of one han...
Copper
Walter von Nessen Art Deco Chrome Metal Globe Ashtray
By Chase Brass and Copper Company, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Mexico City, MX
Elegant Art Deco globe chrome ashtray with gunmetal blue paint by German-born American designer Walter von Nessen. The ashtrays shows its original screw marked with the Chase Brass a...
Chrome
Walter Von Nessen Rare copper Tiffin Tray
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Westport, CT
Walter Von Nessen, Copper Tiffin Tray for Chase co. with black wood handles
Copper
sweet Dinner Bell By Walter Von Nessen
By Walter Von Nessen, Chase Brass and Copper Company
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An Art Deco hand bell by Walter von Nessen for Chase having a stylized abstracted bronze bird perched atop a nickeled steel dome.
Bronze