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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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Period: Mid-20th Century
Creator: Walter Bosse
Walter Bosse Donkey Brass Figurine Pen Holder, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A very charming Austrian midcentury pen or pencil holder, displaying a donkey. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse executed by Herta Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass in ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Cat Figurine with Thermometer, Herta Baller Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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

Walter Bosse Cat Crumbs Table Cleaning Set for Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse cat crumbs table cleaning set for Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s Good original condition Broom dimensions : H 10.5cm W 1.5cm D 11cm Shovel: H 1.5cm W 12cm D 9....
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Bottle Opener by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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 Pen Holder by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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

Walter Bosse Pencil Holder, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse pencil holder, 1950s. Original condition. (Pencils not included, it is only for the photoshooting).
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

1950s by Walter Bosse Austria Design Brass Bronze Monkey Cork Screw
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Brescia, IT
Rare cork screw by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller Excellent condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Walter Bosse Animal Sculptures, Austria, 1950
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Munich, DE
Set of beautiful sculptures made of brass designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller, Austria in the 1950s. These brilliant figurines by Walter Bosse represent seminal works...
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 Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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 Bear Figurine
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse bear figurine Original condition.  
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

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

Walter Bosse Candle Holder 'Bear'
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse candle holder (bear) (The selling is without the candle it is only decoration for the photo shooting) Original condition.  
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Modern Vintage Brass Key Hanger by Walter Bosse Herta Baller 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Very nice Key Hanger designed by Walter Bosse and executed by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s. The motif signs the figures of the "Town Musicians of Bremen" a donkey, a dog, a cat and ...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Metal

Walter Bosse Brass Key Hanger Sea God and Mermaid, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and rare key holder, displaying a sea god and a mermaid. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass, in good condition with nice patina. 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 Brass Cat Figurine Pretzel Holder, Ring Holder
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Austrian brass cat figurine, usually made to be used as a pretzel holder, a decorative piece, very suitable as a ring holder. Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Candleholder 'Bear', circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse candleholder (bear), circa 1950s (The selling is without the candle it is only decoration for the photo shooting) Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Extremely Rare Austrian Cigarette Box or Tin Signed by Walter Bosse, circa 1951
By Walter Bosse
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
An extremely rare brass box or tin designed by Walter Bosse for storing cigarettes or tobacco in. We have yet to find this example in any publication on Bosse's work although simila...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Cat Business Card Holder
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse cat business card holder Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

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

Walter Bosse Asymmetrical Modernist Black Brass Ashtray by Herta Baller, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A stylish modernist ashtray with amazing asymmetrical shape. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass, in good condition with nice patina.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Small Elephant by Hertha Baller, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Small elephant by Hertha Baller, circa 1950s 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 midcentury 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, i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Cow Pen Holder by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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 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

Business Cards Holder by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass ebonized "siting cat" card holder designed by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller in the 1950s.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Brass Cat Wine Bottle Holder by Herta Baller Vienna, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A sculptural mid-century wine caddy / bottle holder from the 1950s, displaying a cat. A humorous design by Walter Bosse and manufactured by Hertha Baller in Vienna, Austria. Construc...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Key Holder Gulls Motiv circa 1950s by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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 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

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 very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of polished brass...
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 Midcentury Calf Cow Brass Figurine, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely calf / baby cow sculpture made of brass from the 1950s. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller, Austria. In very good condition with marginal patina.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Umbrella Stand with Fish, Walter Bosse, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Umbrella stand fish, brass blackened metal, Walter Bosse, Austria, 1950s.  
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Walter Bosse Brass Shoe Horn Displaying a Cow, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful brass shoehorn, displaying a cow. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. In very good condition with nice patina.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Rare Walter Bosse Hooks on Teak Wood
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Rare Walter Bosse hooks on teak wood. Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Thermometer by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Thermometer by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Big Key Holder Gulls Motiv circa 1950s by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Big Key holder Gulls Motiv circa 1950s by Walter Bosse Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Key Holder Gulls Motiv circa 1950s by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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

Small Fish Figurine by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Small fish figurine by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Napkin or Letter Holder by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Napkin or letter holder by Walter Bosse Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Key Hanger Walter Bosse Showing a Cow, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Key hanger Walter Bosse showing a cow, circa 1950s. Very beautiful 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

Mid Century Modern Black Metal Brass Umbrella Stand Walter Bosse, Austria, 1960s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage black metal and brass umbrella stand was designed by Walter Bosse in Vienna. Also the umbrella stand was made of black wire steel with drip tray inside. A ...
Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel

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

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 Cow Figurine with Thermometer by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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

Walter Bosse Cow Sculpture Brass Key Hanger by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and rare key holder, displaying a funny looking cow. Very large. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller, Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass, in excel...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Candleholder by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Candleholder by Walter Bosse. Excellent original condition.  
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Candleholder 'Bear'
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse candleholder (bear) (The selling is without the candle it is only decoration for the photo shooting) Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Key Hanger by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Dwarf Brass Cork Screw Bottle Opener, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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

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, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse thermometer, 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Woman in Biedermeier Dress Mural Brass Sculpture, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely midcentury mural, displaying a woman in a Biedermeier dress with umbrella in front of the Gloriette in Vienna, all made of brass. A beautif...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Cow 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 cow. A very 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

Walter Bosse Thermometer, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse thermometer Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Huge Walter Bosse Pottery Ceramic Horse Sculpture, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely and huge handmade figurine / statue displaying a horse dated from 1947 to 1951. Designed by Walter Bosse, made of ceramic / terracotta in Kufst...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware, Terracotta

Big Brass Cat Bottle Holder by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Big brass cat bottle holder by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s (The Bottle is only decoration, not for sale) Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Mermaid and Fish Wall Sculpture by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely Mid-Century wall-mounted brass sculpture, displaying a mermaid and a fish on a frame, made of black-finished brass. Designed by Walter Bosse, manufactured in the 1950s by He...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern 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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