Designer:  Walter Von Nessen (1889 – 1943)

Item:  Hoop or Ring Bookends

Manufactured by:  Chase Copper and Brass Company

Country of origin:  United States

Year made:  1933

Materials:   Nickelplated brass and black nickel base

Dimensions:  Each is 5 ¼” x 5” x 2 ½

Condition: Very good.  Not polished or cleaned with original lacquer in nice shape.  Some scuffs and aging to the finish, but we did not touch these, because it is hard to find them in such terrific shape in this harder-to-find finish combination.  

References:  Buck, Robert T., The Machine Age In America 1918 – 1941, The Brooklyn Museum, Abrams (1986); Linz, Jim, Art Deco Chrome, Schiffer (1999); Johnson, Donald-Brian and Pina, Leslie, Chase Complete: Deco Specialties of the Chase Brass & Copper Co. Schiffer (1999)

Description: Von Nessen’s Hoop aka Ring bookends are one of the more iconic Art Deco and American Machine Age designs ever produced.These were made in several finishes, but the nickel with bluing is the hardest to find. These are signed with the Chase logo the outer edge of the hoop. They are heavy with the pair weighing over 3 pounds. A pair sold at an important 20th Century Design auction in 2020 hammering at $1,200 or over $1,500 with buyers premium.