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.
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Creator: Walter Bosse
Ashtray by Walter Bosse Vienna Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Ashtray by walter bosse vienna around 1950s
Marked on Bottom.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Jewelry Ring Holder, Baller Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s Austrian Bosse cat Figurine Collectible. Nice addition to your room or just for your collection of Austrian bronze items. Found at an estate sale in Vienna, Austr...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Small Playing seal figurine by walter bosse around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Small Playing seal figurine by walter bosse around 1950s
Original condition
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Small Walter Bosse Cat Figurine, Vienna, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Small Walter Bosse cat figurine, Vienna, circa 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Zodiac Sign "Sagittarius" by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Zodiac sign "Sagittarius" by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Cat Figurine by Walter Bosse, Vienna, Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Cat figurine by Walter Bosse, Vienna, around 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Small bear figurine by walter bosse vienna around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Small bear figurine by walter bosse vienna around 1950s
Original condition
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Rooster Dinner Bell, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Donkey Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian midcentury Shaker set, displaying a donkey carrying two wooden barrels. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. The don...
Category
Mid-20th Century Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Bottle Stopper Pourer, Baller Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s Austrian Bosse cat Figurine Collectible. Nice addition to your room or just for your collection of Austrian bronze items. Found at an estate sale in Vienna, Austr...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Three Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks of a Lion Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Three Walter Bosse brass wall hooks of a Lion Austria, 1950s.
3 are available, priced and sold per piece.
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Giraffe by Walter Bosse around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Giraffe by Walter Bosse around 1950s
Original condition
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Small Bear Figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Small bear figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Bull Head Figurine by Walter Bosse Vienna Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Bull head figurine by Walter Bosse vienna around 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Bottle Stopper Pourer, Baller Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s Austrian Bosse cat Figurine Collectible. Nice addition to your room or just for your collection of Austrian bronze items. Found at an estate sale in Vienna, Austr...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Candleholder Walter Bosse Cow, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Candleholder Walter Bosse cow
Good original condition.
(The candle is only for decoration for the photo shooting not for sell).
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Cow Pen Holder by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Cow pen holder by Walter Bosse
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Elephants Brass Key Hanger by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and rare key holder, displaying five elephants in different sizes. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller, Austria, in the 1950s. Also suitable as a towel holder or for dish towels...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Key Hanger by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse key hanger by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Thermometer, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Thermometer, circa 1950s
Original condition
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Small Penguin by Walter Bosse, Around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Small penguin by Walter bosse, around 1950s
Marked Austria on Bottom
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Vintage Brass Hand Ashtray for Herta Baller
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
This elegant and heavy ashtray by Walter Bosse for Herta Baller (Model 844) is an original Austrian Mid-Century piece of sculptural character. The object...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Cat Figurine Holding a Thermometer by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Cat Figurine Holding a Thermometer by Walter Bosse
Original condition
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Midcentury Wall Hook "Monkey" by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass ebonized wall hook "monkey". Designed by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Vienna from the 1950s.
Used but in very good vintage condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Fish Midcentury Brass Bowl or Ashtray, Herta Baller, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist bowl or ashtray in the shape of a fish. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass, in excellent condition....
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Scorpio Zodiac Sign Brass Figurine, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Scorpio zodiac sign brass figurine, 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Miniature Fish Figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic midcentury 1950s Vienna bronze figurine by Walter Bosse.
This gorgeous small miniature creature with big personality designed by Walter Bosse, an expert craftsman from the golden age of Vienna bronzes is a real beauty. He designed his “black/gold” series of bronze figurines to make “as many people as possible happy.”
Excellent example of a Walter Bosse brass figurine...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Brass
Walter Bosse Cat Figurine with Thermometer, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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
Midcentury Wall Hook "Bear" by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare brass ebonized wall hook "bear". Designed by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Vienna from the 1950s.
Used but in very good vintage condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Key Holder Gulls Motiv circa 1950s by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Key holder Gulls Motiv circa 1950s by Walter Bosse
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Rooster Mid-Century Umbrella Stand for Herta Baller, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
This striking umbrella stand, which can also serve as a paper basket or wastepaper bin, dates back to the 1950s. Designed by Walter Bosse and crafted by Hertha Baller in Vienna, Aust...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass, Iron
Small Elephant Figurine by Walter Bosse Vienna Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Small Elephant Figurine by Walter Bosse Vienna Around 1950s
Original condition
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Midcentury Brass Horse Figurine, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Bottle Opener, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse cat bottle opener, 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass, Nickel
Walter Bosse Fish Mid-Century Brass Bowl Ashtray Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist brass bowl or ashtray in the shape of a fish. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass, in good condition...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Mid-Century Horse Brass Figurine, Hertha 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 very good condition with charming patina. We offer more Walter Bos...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Poodle Figurine, Lucky Charm, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming poodle figurine, made of brass designed by Walter Bosse, executed in the 1950s by Hertha Baller, Austria. In excellent condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Seahorse Figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Seahorse figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s.
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Pretzel Holder, Ring Holder
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse brass cat figurine pretzel holder, ring holder
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Hedgehog Stackable Ashtray Set for Bertha Baller, 1955
By Walter Bosse
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of six stackable ashtrays in the shape of a hedgehog designed in 1955 by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Austria. Polished and patinated brass.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
3 Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks of a Lion Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
3 Walter Bosse brass wall hooks of a Lion Austria, 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Four Asymmetric Modernist Brass Wall Hooks by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Four asymmetrical modernist brass wall hooks by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
original state
Price and sale per piece.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Cow Pen Holder by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Rare rooster pen holder by Walter Bosse
(the feather is not for sale she is decoration for the picture)
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pen holder by walter bosse shows a cat around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Pen holder by walter bosse shows a cat around 1950s
The pen is not for sale it is only for the photoshooting
Original condition
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter bosse ashtay vienna around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter bosse ashtay vienna around 1950s
Original condition
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Umbrella Stand Fish, Brass Blackened Metal, Walter Bosse, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A beautiful umbrella stand by Walter Bosse, Vienna, manufactured in midcentury in circa 1950.
It is made of a black painted metal base and a polish...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Walter Bosse Donkey Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian Mid-Century shaker set, displaying a donkey. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of metal and wood. In go...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Metal
Walter Bosse Shoehorn Shows a Cat, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Rabbit Brass Cork Screw Bottle Opener, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Mid-Century bottle opener / cork screw, displaying a rabbit. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of polished brass, in ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Shoehorn Shows a Mouse by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Shoehorn shows a mouse by Walter Bosse
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Wall Hook Shows a Lion Rare Model
By Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse wall hook shows a lion rare model
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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
Bear Bottle Stopper by Walter Bosse around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Bear Bottle Stopper by Walter Bosse around 1950s
Original condition
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Dining Bell
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse dining bell
Original condition.
Category
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Dog Pencil Holder
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse dog pencil holder.
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Dwarf Brass Cork Screw Bottle Opener, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Mid-Century bottle opener/cork screw, displaying a dwarf. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of black-finished brass, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Austrian Bronze Shaped Bowl by Hertha Ballers for Walter Bosse, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Delft, NL
Austrian Bronze Shaped Bowl by Hertha Ballers for Walter Bosse, 1950s
A bronze bowl signed by Hertha Ballers in small organic shaped form.
Designed by Walter Bosse 1950s, Austria
Th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Small Libra Zodiac Sign by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Small Libra Zodiac sign by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
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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