Designer: Walter Von Nessen (1889 – 1943)

Item: Cat Bookends

Manufactured by: Chase Copper and Brass Company

Country of origin: United States

Year made: 1932

Materials: Nickelplated brass and black nickel base

Dimensions: 6 ¼” x 4" x 2 ½”

Description: Rare and iconic, these are signed with the Chase logo and “Pat. Applied For” on the edge of the base, which places manufacture very early since the patent was obtained in December 1932.  These are in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum.  

Condition: Very good, but sometime in their history the tails became bent down. We are not sure when that happened, but we have seen other examples with that same condition.  We did not have them straightened, because we have also seen this result in the tails breaking off, or the tails looking wavy.  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 finish combination. 

References: Linz, Jim, Art Deco Chrome, Schiffer, 1999