Walter Von Nessen Brass Cat Bookends for Chase, circa 1932

Walter Von Nessen Brass Cat Bookends for Chase, circa 1932
These solid polished brass cat bookends by Walter Von Nessen stand among the most iconic creations of the Chase Brass and Copper Company during the creative burst of early American industrial design. Formed with a graceful arching body and expressive stylized face, they capture the playful spirit that made Von Nessen a leading voice in modern design of the period. The purity of the form, combined with the richness of the brass surface, gives these bookends a sculptural presence from every angle.

This celebrated design was prominently displayed at the Brooklyn Museum of Decorative Arts in the landmark exhibition Machine Age in America. The series of Chase bookends produced in the early nineteen thirties showcased the company’s commitment to modern American style while working with major talents such as Russel Wright, Rockwell Kent and Walter Von Nessen. Chase entered the consumer market with a line of chrome and brass household objects that defined the look of the era and carried the well known centaur mark that collectors still seek today.