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
Returnable Items Only
Two Walter Bosse Brass Key Hanger of a Elephant Group Made by Hertha Baller
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Two Walter Bosse brass key hanger of a elephant group made by Hertha Baller.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Rare Walter Bosse Key Hanger Monkeys
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Rare Walter Bosse key hanger monkeys
Original condition.
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 Cow Figurine Table Thermometer by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming sculptural Austrian midcentury desk thermometer, displaying a cow with a lantern-shaped thermometer. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Key Hanger of a Elephant Group Made by Hertha Baller
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse brass key hanger of a elephant group made by Hertha Baller.
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 Midcentury Horse Brass 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 Shoehorn, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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
Cat Figurine Pretzel Holder, Ring Holder by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass figurine blackened pretzel holder, ring holder. Designed in the 1950s by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Austria.
Excellent original condition.
Category
1950s 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
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 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
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 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 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 Candle Holder 'Bear'
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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 Candleholder 'Bear', circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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
Walter Bosse Elephants Brass Key Hanger by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Hertha 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 Brass Cat Figurine Pretzel Holder, Ring Holder
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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 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 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
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 Dwarf 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 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
Small Elephant by Hertha Baller, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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
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
Rare Austrian Brass Matchbox Holder by Walter Bosse, circa 1954
By Walter Bosse
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
A rare 1950s brass matchbox holder by Austrian born designer Walter Bosse, circa 1954.
Perfect for the gentleman or lady smoker and could also be used ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern 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
Business Cards Holder by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Pencil Holder, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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
Walter Bosse Brass Cat Wine Bottle Holder by Herta Baller Vienna, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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
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 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
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 Thermometer, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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
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
Walter Bosse Midcentury Calf Cow Brass Figurine, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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
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
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
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
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
Walter Bosse Dog Pencil Holder
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse dog pencil holder.
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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
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
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
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
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
Key Hanger Walter Bosse Showing a Cow, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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
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 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
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 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
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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