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.
14 pc. Art Deco Heisey Stanhope Dessert Set Designed by Walter Von Nessen 1930's
By Walter Von Nessen, Heisey Glass Company
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
Toothpick Server by Russel Wright for Chase
By Walter Von Nessen, Chase Brass and Copper Company
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A polished silver sphere with multiple perforations for holding and dispensing toothpicks. Stamped "Chase USA".
Chrome, Steel
$76 / 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
$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 Rockwell Kent, Chase Brass and Copper Company
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
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
$220Sale Price|20% Off
H 2 in W 18.5 in D 13.5 in
Midcentury 1950s Solid Teak Danish Modern Rare Tray by Quistgaard for Dansk
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible and beautiful design on this large solid teak, a tray designed by Quistgaard for Dansk, circa the 1950s, great condition with raised edges, incredible craftsmanship. early...
Teak
Wonderful Belgian Art Deco Coffee Set 1930s
Located in Meer, VAN
Wonderful Belgian Art Deco Coffee Set 1930s A rare and very beautiful 10 person art deco coffee - or tea - set in blue and silver porcelain with distinct octagonal art deco shapes a...
Porcelain
American MCM Russel Wright Water Jug Ceramic Pitcher for Oneida
By Oneida, Russel Wright
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful large ceramic jug pitcher designed by Russel Wright for Oneida beautiful colors glaze and condition.
Ceramic
$1,195 / set
H 0.75 in Dm 11.75 in
Art Deco 8 Piece Chrome & Blue Glass Cocktail Set by Chase Blue Moon C1935
By Chase Brass and Copper Company
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Very special to the Art Deco period is the Chase copper and brass company which hired the leading designers of the day for its incredible inventory of household items. This particula...
Brass, Chrome
$4,639
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
$49,896 / set
H 1 in W 1 in D 1 in
Art Deco Puiforcat French 950 Sterling Silver Flatware Set Dinner Service 125 Pc
By Puiforcat
Located in Big Bend, WI
Outstanding Art Deco Puiforcat 950 sterling silver flatware set, 125 pieces. This set includes: 12 dinner knives, 10" (not puiforcat, ebony handle with silver caps with cornucopia d...
Sterling Silver
Dutch Silver Dessert Set by Gerritsen, 1907
Located in Delft, NL
Dutch silver dessert set by Gerritsen, 1907 A set of 12 Dutch silver dessert spoons and a Silver large serving spoon with twisted and oval shape...
Silver
$93 / item
H 0.79 in Dm 8.47 in
Grandma's Garden, Contemporary Porcelain Dessert Plate Set with Floral Design
By Francesca Colombo
Located in MILAN, IT
Belonging to the Grandma's garden porcelain series, the design of this dessert plate represents a sophisticated and elegant floral designs full of blossoms and buds with delicate col...
Porcelain
Jean Luce French Art Deco Sevres Dessert Group
By Jean Luce
Located in Sharon, CT
From the famous and much illustrated classic Sevres French Deco service. 4 larger plates 8" x 1". 8 smaller plates 6 1/2" x 5/8". 3 chowder bowls 2 13/16" x 4 x 5 1/2". and 1 cup 2 3...
Ceramic