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Modern serving ware designs for Chase, by Russel Wright. Curl Candlesticks, designed for Imagination runs rampant in an assortment of
Clockwise from left: Cocktail Ball on Olympia Saucer; Pancake & Chase by Dr. Albert Reimann. Walter Von Nessen Chase designs. Clockwise from lower left:
Corn Set; Devonshire Pitcher; Antarctic Ice Bowl; Individual Coffee Olympia Dessert Dish; Continental Coffee Making Service;
Set; Ice Bowl & Tongs. Compote; Round Tray; Ring Vase; Taurex Candlestick
(Uneven); Ring Book Ends.
… all of these existed concurrently with the shimmering modernity of Leading the industrial design pack was the Chase Brass & Copper
Chase chrome, the brushed splendor of Kensington aluminum, and the Co. From 1933 to 1942, Chase turned out a gleaming (and seemingly
opaque solemnity of Frankart nudes. Opposite poles of the visual endless), array of buffet service articles, drinking and smoking
spectrum collided, propelled by an explosion of artistic energy. accessories, lamps, and assorted home décor items. Fashioned
That’s why Art Deco design is so satisfying and has such primarily of brass, copper, or the newly popular chromium,
longevity. It offers, quite literally, something for everyone. these “Chase Specialties” were truly what etiquette expert
Emily Post (on the Chase payroll as “design advisor”)
Domestic Deco praised as “the answer to the housewife’s prayer.” They
A case in point: Art Deco items for the home. provided a look of elegance, they were easy to care for,
While some serve a purely decorative function, and, best of all, they were available at prices Depression
the majority incorporate usefulness into their buyers could afford.
art. That’s because manufacturing firms were “Today’s homemaker,” noted Mrs. Post, “must be
faced with a Depression-based dilemma. Mrs. 3-in-1: cook and waitress, as well as hostess.”
Bowls, plates, coffeepots, vases, and other home Lavish evenings out were a thing of the past.
accessories had been around for ages. What could Replacing them: the new (and cheaper) vogue for
possibly persuade buyers in a depressed economy to at-home entertaining – but even cash-strapped
purchase new items, when older ones were still party-givers wanted homes that looked their
performing reasonably well? The answer was to best. With Chase serving pieces on hand,
promote the new as “improved” versions of the old, “Mrs. 3-in-1’s” parties were certain to be
efficiently addressing the three concerns of primary those that Mrs. Post called “far and away
importance to consumers: usefulness, cost, and the most popular.” “It’s smart to be
appearance. That task fell to a Deco-spawned new The gazelle, a popular Art Deco emblem, informal,” said Emily, “and Chase makes
breed: the industrial designer. appeared in many guises, including on informality smart!”
Generally contracted as free agents, these wonder- this nightlight by Camille Tharaud, the While Chase ads stressed that the company’s
workers were sought after by companies that turned French master of Art Deco porcelain. metal giftwares were “not meant to compete with
out products as diverse as washing machines, solid silver,” they of course did – and, in the opinion
automobiles, porch furniture, and refrigerators. The talent of the of many housewives, Chase was clearly the winner. In homes without
industrial designer was an uncanny ability to modernize the mundane squadrons of servants, there was little time (or inclination) to polish up
– and to do so without compromising form or function. the family silver before and after each dinner party. With Chase, all it

The French retailer Robj was known Frankart’s Lady on Book bookends. From the studio of acclaimed A Ruth Gerth design for Chase,
for its ceramic line, particularly an Arthur von Frankenberg’s Manhattan-based Deco glass artisan Charles “suggestive of the wine feast of Roman days,”
imaginative series of Deco decanters. studio was noted for its female nude statuettes, Schneider, two vases in the coupled with a modern influence
This Robj Orange Merchant which graced everything from ashtrays and Schneider signature shade: – Bacchus Pitcher & Goblets.
decanter was originally filled bookends, to clocks and candy bowls. Tango Orange.
with Curacao liqueur.
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