Walter Bosse Furniture
Austrian, 1904-1979
Credited with thousands of works and models for ceramic pieces, Walter Bosse was an intensely prolific designer. The modernist Austrian sculptor and ceramist was best known for his distinctive “Black Golden” series of decorative objects and figurines, particularly his hedgehog ashtrays. Bosse’s mid-century and Art Deco works were popular as gifts for politicians and royalty worldwide, remaining coveted among collectors today.
Bosse was born in Vienna in 1904 to artist parents — his father, Julius, was a portrait painter for the Austrian Imperial Court. Bosse studied at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna from 1918 to 1921 under Austrian sculptor Michael Powolny and Austrian painter Franz Cizek. Later, he continued at the Munich School of Applied Arts in Germany under Austrian architect and designer Josef Hoffmann, a founder of the Vienna Secession movement.
Early in his career, Bosse worked as a designer at several ceramics manufacturers, including Augarten Porcelain Works in 1924, Goldscheider Porcelain Manufactory and Majolica Factory in 1926 and Metzler and Ortloff in 1927. In 1925, Bosse displayed several pieces at the International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts in Paris, which introduced the Art Deco style to a global audience.
In 1931, Bosse opened a shop in Kufstein, Austria, selling ceramic gift items. Owing to the crippling economic effects of the Great Depression, however, Bosse was forced to close his shop in 1937. He returned to Vienna in 1938 and opened another business, Bosse Keramik, where he sold toys, glass, textiles and more. In the late 1940s, Bosse experimented with small-scale brass sculptures and desk accessories coated in black ceramic glaze. With Austrian designer Herta Baller, Bosse formed the Bosse-Baller company to manufacture the “Black Golden” line of figurines, which became wildly popular worldwide.
Despite Bosse’s success, he struggled financially and moved to Iserlohn, Germany, in 1953. Meanwhile, Baller continued to manufacture and sell Bosse’s designs, which were so popular that forgers copied and sold counterfeit editions of Bosse’s works around the world. The 1950s marked the debut of the artist’s whimsically zoomorphic hedgehog ashtrays — these were cast in brass, and a hedgehog ashtray in any other material is not a Bosse original.
Bosse spent the rest of his life embroiled in court battles to protect his designs, leaving him penniless by the time he died. Today authentic Bosse pieces — from wall-mounted sculptures to tableware — continue to be highly sought after by collectors.
Find vintage Walter Bosse serveware, wall decorations and more on 1stDibs.
Color: Beige
Creator: Walter Bosse
Walter bosse swallow birds key holder around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter bosse swallow birds key holder around 1950s
Original condition
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Rooster Dinner Bell, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Rooster dinner bell, 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Shoehorn Shows a Cat, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse shoehorn shows a cat, circa 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Thermometer, 1950s for Table Vienna around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Thermometer, 1950s for table vienna around 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Dog Figurine Holding a Thermometer by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Dog Figurine holding a thermometer by Walter Bosse
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Paragraph Lawyer Brass Sculpture, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A Midcentury brass figurine, displaying a paragraph form the 1950s. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller, Austria. In very g...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Cat Figurine with Thermometer, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse cat figurine with thermometer, 1950s
Austrian desk thermometer, cat figurine and a lantern-shaped thermometer.
Designed by Walter Bosse...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Midcentury Horse Brass Figurine, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely horse foal sculpture made of brass from the 1950s. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller. In good condition with charming patina. We offer more Walter Bosse br...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Shoehorn, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Shoehorn, circa 1950s
polished and stove enamelled.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Hertha Baller Pipe Holder, Vienna, circa 1950s 'Marked'
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Hertha Baller pipe holder, Vienna, circa 1950s (Marked)
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse candle holder around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse candle holder around 1950s
Original condition
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Cow Brass Cork Screw Bottle Opener, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming midcentury bottle opener/cork screw, displaying a cow. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of polished brass, in ve...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Dining Bell
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse dining bell
Original condition.
Category
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Cat Figurine with Thermometer, Herta Baller Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian Mid Century modern desk thermometer, consisting of a nice cat figurine and a lantern-shaped thermometer. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Bal...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Bottle Opener by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Bottle opener by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s.
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Cow Figurine Holding a Thermometer by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Cow figurine holding a thermometer by Walter Bosse
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Cat Figurine Holding a Thermometer by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
A very charming Austrian desk thermometer, consisting of a nice cat figurine and a lantern-shaped thermometer. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse,...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Cow Figurine with Thermometer by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian desk thermometer, consisting of a nice cow figurine and a lantern-shaped thermometer. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by H...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
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Free Shipping
H 1.19 in W 8.67 in D 0.79 in
Walter Bosse Monkey Salt and Pepper Shakers Set, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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A charming Austrian midcentury shaker set from the 1950s, displaying a cute monkey holding salt and pepper shakers. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, manufactured by Hertha Baller i...
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Walter Bosse Cancer Zodiac Sign Brass Figurine, 1950s
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Original condition.
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Walter Bosse Hedgehog Stackable Brass Ashtrays, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
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A complete set of six vintage stackable midcentury hedgehog ashtrays. A very humorous and charming design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller, Austria in the 1950s. Made of br...
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Walter Bosse Vintage Brass Hand Ashtray for Herta Baller
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Monkey Wall Hook by Walter Bosse
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Shoehorn Squirrel Blackened Brass by Walter Bosse, Austria, 1950s
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Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A nice shoehorn made of blackened and partly polished brass by Walter Bosse, Austria, 1950s. The handle is in the form of a squirrel. That tail can be used as hook. Very nice patina ...
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1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
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Previously Available Items
Dog Figurine with a Thermometer by Walter Bosse Vienna Around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Dog figurine with a thermometer by Walter Bosse vienna around 1950s.
Original condition.
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1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
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Art Déco Figure, Grotesque 'Man With Antelope' Walter Bosse for Augarten, Vienna
By Augarten Porzellanmanufaktur, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A man in a long dress wrapped like a spiral spring and a pointed hat hugs the animal with an excessively long neck standing next to him, with the horns and hat wedged together.
Pain...
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1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
H 7.49 in W 2.76 in D 2.76 in
Key Holder Displaying a Sea God Offering a Fish to a Mermaid
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Key holder, displaying a sea god offering a fish to a mermaid.
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Shoehorn Shows a Capricorn by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Shoehorn shows a Capricorn by Walter Bosse
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Dachshund Dinner Bell, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse dachshund dinner bell, 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Midcentury Penguin Brass Figurine, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely penguin sculpture made of brass from the 1950s. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller. In good condition with marginal patina.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse shoehorn cat, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse shoehorn cat, circa 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Dinner Bell Displaying a Cock by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming midcentury table bell displaying a cock. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass, in very good condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
H 6 in W 3.5 in D 3 in
Walter Bosse Cat Thermometer, Hertha Baller, Blackened Brass, 1950
By Walter Bosse
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A cat which holds a thermometer by its tail by Walter Bosse and manufactured by Hertha Baller, Austria, Vienna, in midcentury in 1950s.
The cat is made of blackened and polished brass. The thermometer shows the temperature in degree Celcius and not in Fahrenheit.
This charming piece is an eye-catcher in every room.
About Walter Bosse and Hertha Baller:
Walter Bosse (November 13, 1904–December 13, 1979) was a Viennese artist, designer, ceramist, potter, metalworker, and craftsman noted for his modernist bronze animal figurines...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Rooster Dinner Bell
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse rooster dinner bell
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Dog Figurine with Thermometer, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse dog figurine with thermometer, 1950s.
Austrian desk thermometer, dog figurine and a thermometer.
Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by ...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Pencil Holder Penguin
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse pencil holder penguin
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Walter Bosse furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Walter Bosse furniture, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Walter Bosse were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Herta Baller, Franz Hagenauer, and Karl Hagenauer. Prices for Walter Bosse furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $111 and can go as high as $3,400, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $360.
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