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.
Chase Three Piece Comet Tea Service Set with Bakelite Accents
By Walter Von Nessen, Chase Brass and Copper Company
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
Three-Piece Tea Set with Tray by Walter Von Nessen for Chase
By Walter Von Nessen, Chase Brass and Copper Company
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
Raynaud Limoges 23-Piece Porcelain Tea & Coffee Service with Gold Trim
By Limoges
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This 23-piece tea and coffee service by Raynaud & Cie embodies the elegance and artistry for which Limoges porcelain is renowned. Each piece is crafted from fine, translucent por...
Porcelain, Paint
13-Piece Vintage Japanese Tea Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage sumatsu serving set hand painted with maple leaves and birds / Made in Japan circa 1960s 1 tea pot, width 7 inches, height 4 inches, depth 6 inches 4 plates, diameter 6.75 in...
Porcelain
$1,675 / set
H 22 in W 24 in D 20 in
Antique Silver Plated Tea Coffee Set, 4-Piece Footed Service Ornate Handles lids
Located in Wembley, GB
Vintage Silver-Plated Tea and Coffee Set – 4-Piece Victorian/Edwardian Footed Service with Ornate Handles & Lids, Elegant Silverplate Teapot, Coffee Pot, Sugar Bowl & Creamer Bring timeless elegance to your table with this exquisite vintage silver tea and coffee service set. Beautifully crafted with ornate scroll handles, finial lids, and claw-style feet, this 4-piece silverplate set combines luxury, tradition, and functionality in one. Perfect for hosting elegant tea parties or afternoon gatherings or as a refined display piece, this set includes a teapot, coffee pot, sugar bowl, and creamer—all designed with stunning detail and polished to a radiant shine. Complete 4-piece silver service set...
Metal, Silver Leaf, Sheet Metal, Sterling Silver, Silver Plate, Silver
$2,903 / set
H 7.49 in W 8.86 in D 5.12 in
5-Piece Tea and Coffee Set by M. Dufrene for Christofle (Gallia)
By Gallia
Located in NANTES, FR
Tea and coffee set designed by Maurice Dufrene for Galia/Christople Set consisting of a tray, a coffee pot, a teapot, a milk jug, and a sugar bowl. Black wooden handles. Gallia hall...
Silver Plate
$1,475
H 10 in W 6 in D 7 in
Anna Weatherley Designs Three Piece Tea Set Hand-Painted with Butterflies
By Anna Weatherley Designs
Located in Toronto, ON
A gorgeous three piece Coffee/Tea set, hand painted with butterflies by Anna Weatherley Designs. Anna Weatherley has been designing and producing Fine Botanical Hand Painted Porcelai...
Porcelain
$1,950
H 9.5 in W 4 in D 8 in
A Mid-Century 5-Piece Christofle Electroplated Silver Tea and Coffee Service Set
By Christofle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Charming Mid-Century Five-Piece Christofle Electroplated Silver Tea and Coffee Set. The elegant set comprising of a coffee pot, a hot water pot, a sugar-bowl and a milk jug. Stampe...
Silver Plate
Brass and Copper Three-Piece Tea Set from the 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
Copper or brass set of a tea pot, milk creamer and a sugar bowl made by Erich Kolbenheyer for EKW Austria in the 1950s. Dimensions: Pot: W 37cm (14...
Brass, Copper
Ebony 5-Piece Complete Tea + Coffee Set by Zanetto
By Zanetto
Located in Milan, IT
Gorgeous breakfast set complete with milk vessel, coffee pot, sugar bowl, tea pot and tray all exquisitely crafted in a silver plated alloy.
Silver Plate
4-Piece Vintage Japanese Koshiba Tea Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Koshida tray and teacup set with hand painted maple leaves / Made in Japan circa 1960s Tea cups feature raised embossed lithophane image of Geisha on inside bottoms 2 trays, ...
Porcelain
Silver Plate Five Piece Tea / Coffee Service
By Reed & Barton
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Silver plated five pieces tea and coffee service with exterior floral design details. Each piece is in great condition. Minor wear consistent with age / use. Maker's mark undersigned Reed & Barton "King Francis model number 1650-1654”. Set include Coffee pot 11-3/4 inches. Tea pot 10 inches. Covered sugar pot 7 inches. Creamer 6 inches & tea bag...
Silver Plate
Victorian Sterling Silver Three-Piece Bachelor Tea Service
By George Richards Elkington
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver three-piece bachelor tea set or service, boxed, an addition to our diver...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$520
H 3 in W 19.5 in D 12 in
Vintage Geisha Painted 21-Piece Japanese Footed Tea Set and Lacquer Serving Tray
Located in Lomita, CA
This is a an assembled 21-piece Japanese tea and condiment set that is a colorful example of mid-20th century export porcelain. Each piece is hand-painted with geisha, pagoda, and ga...
Ceramic