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 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
$63 / 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
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
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
$91 / 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
$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
$294Sale Price|40% Off
H 2.5 in W 9.5 in D 0.5 in
Carl Auböck Neptune Fish Bottle Opener, Leather & Steel by Amboss Austria, 1950s
By Amboss Austria, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful fish-shaped mid-century bottle opener, made of stainless steel, covered with dark-brown tan leather. Model #4687, designed in 1995 by Carl Auböck, Vienna. Executed by Amb...
Stainless Steel
Amber Depression Glass Cordial Set, Art Deco Style, 1930s, USA
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A beautiful amber Depression Glass cordial set dating to the 1930s, composed of a sculptural round pitcher and six matching footed glasses. The set h...
Glass
$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
$220 / set
H 0.4 in W 7.09 in D 0.79 in
Georg Jensen Silver Acanthus, Designed by Johan Rohde, Two Dessert Spoons
Located in København, Copenhagen
Georg Jensen silver Acanthus. Two dessert spoons. Designed by Johan Rohde. Measures: Length 17.5cm. In very good condition. Marked.
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
$294Sale Price|40% Off
H 1.25 in W 4.5 in D 6.5 in
Mid-Century Bar Party Set 1517 in Original Box by Amboss, Austria, 1950s
By Amboss Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
A gorgeous bar set nestled in its original wooden box from the 1950s. It comprises a bottle opener, a corkscrew, and a can opener. Model #1517, crafted by Amboss Austria, this set is...
Steel, Chrome
19th C English Hand Painted "Imari" Dessert Set-14 Pieces
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This lovely set of 12 hand painted plates in primary bold colors on a clean white ground which provide a dramatic contrast. The set also includes 2 matching shell shaped serving piec...
Paste, Porcelain