Pair of nickel and copper art deco machine age bookends by Walter von Nessen for Chase, c.1930s, USA. The pair of bookends feature two circles, one larger in a black satin enameled copper and the second smaller, a satin finished nickel. The circles rest on a nickel base with two enameled sphere feet at each side of the circle. They are impressed with [Chase] and feature the Chase Minotaur Archer logo on the side.
The Chase Brass and Copper Company of Waterbury, Connecticut, was founded in 1876, and for most of its existence produced industrial metal parts. During the 1930s, part of their focus shifted to the production of decorative objects and housewares. They commissioned notable industrial designers such as Walter von Nessen and Russel Wright to develop products for their burgeoning line.
The onset of WW2 ceased production of their housewares as the factory turned to manufacturing military products and parts. Following the end of the war, Chase did not return to producing decorative items, making the existing pieces they produced quite rare and desirable.
