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
Candle Holder, Vienna, Around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Candle holder vienna around 1950s.
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Cow Sculpture Brass Key Hanger by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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
Candle Holder 'bird' by Walter Bosse, around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Candle holder (bird) by Walter Bosse, around 1950s
Original condition
The candle is only for the photoshoot (not included).
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Zebra Donkey Salt and Pepper Shaker Set
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse zebra donkey salt and pepper shaker set for Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s.
The shakers are included.
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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
Pair of Walter Bosse (attr.) Cats Figurines for Hertha Baller Austria - 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Measures : 12cm x3.5cm H:15.5cm
Materials : Brass Blackened
Walter Bosse (attr.) Cat Figurines for Hertha Baller Austria - 1950s
Wear consistent with age and use : in very good con...
Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Walter Bosse Thermometer, 1950s for Table Vienna around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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
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
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
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
Walter Bosse Bottle Holder, Cat Blackened Brass, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A nice wine bottle holder made of blackened and partly polished brass by Walter Bosse, Austria, 1950s.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Pencil Holder 'Marked' Around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse pencil holder( marked ) around 1950s
The pencil is not icluded ( it is only for the photoshooting )
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Candleholder 'Bear'
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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
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
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
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
Rare Walter Bosse Hooks on Teak Wood
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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
Brass Wine Bottle Holder by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Amazing brass wine bottle holder by Walter Bosse
original condition.
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 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 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 Thermometer, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse thermometer, 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Boss Donkey Dinner Bell, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage Walter Bosse Donkey collectible solid bronze bell from the 1950s. Nice tone. Made in Austria.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
Hedgehog ashtray set Walter Bosse figurines brass patinated new Vienna Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
In 2000 a Viennese public house released the first monograph about Walter Bosse. Illustrated with various pictures it shows his highly creative potential and his influence and impact...
Category
2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Cow Sculpture Brass Key Hanger Design by Walter Bosse, Hertha Balle Austria 50s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Lucija, SI
Very Special and Rare Key Holder, displaying a funny looking cow. Very large. This is a original piece, not a reproduction.
Designed by Walter Bosse, manufactured by Hertha Baller...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass key hanger, Elephant and Mouse, Herta Baller, Austria 1950's
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in BELFORT, FR
Rare mid-century key hanger by Walter Bosse, displaying an elephant and a mouse. This item is made of brass and is in very good condition. It was made by Herta Baller in Austria in t...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Rare Umbrella Stand by Walter Bosse the Capricorn
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Steel basket with lead casting drip tray black painted with a brass capricorn outside the basket, designed by Walter Bosse in the 1950s for Hertha Baller.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Small Walter Bosse Sagittarius Zodiac Brass Figurine, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Small Walter Bosse Sagittarius Zodiac Brass Figurine, Austria, 1950s
Original condition
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
CAT Walter Bosse figurines brass patinated new Vienna Austria TALISMAN
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
This cat figurine was produced in Austria and is signed at the bottom: Bosse Austria. The piece comes together with a fabric pouch, including a certificate, too. Each figure is speci...
Category
2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Brass Wine Bottle Holder by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Београд, RS
Brass Wine Bottle Holder – Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, 1950s
A rare and elegant wine bottle holder designed by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller in the 1950s. Made of solid brass, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Cat Figurine with Shovel and Rake by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass figurine blackened with a shovel and rake. 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
Small Walter Bosse Sagittarius Zodiac Brass Figurine, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Small Walter Bosse Sagittarius Zodiac Brass Figurine, Austria, 1950s
Original condition
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Austrian Midcentury Brass Cat Wine Bottle Holder by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Big iconic Austrian 1950s brass cat bottle holder.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Brass Salt Shaker by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass salt shaker by Walter Bosse from the 1950s.
The shaker is made from white plastic.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
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
Dancing Women Sculpture in Brass by Walter Bosse, 1950's
By Walter Bosse
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Dancing Women Sculpture in Brass by Walter Bosse, 1950's
Additional Information:
Material: Brass
Style: Mid century, Europe
Produced by Hertha Baller in...
Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
2 Bear Penholder by Walter Bosse, Vienna, 1950s (sold and priced per piece)
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
2 Bear penholder made of blackened brass by Walter Bosse, Vienna, 1950s.
Original condition.
The pen is not for sale it is only for the photoshooting
(sold and priced per piece)
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Ceramic advertising figure by W. Bosse for the Karlsruhe Majolika. 1940 - 1950
By Walter Bosse
Located in CADALSO, ES
Rare advertising figurine from Fernkabel Rastatt Germany.
The company Deutsche Fernkabel Gesellschaft Rastatt was merged into Nokia Siemens Netwo...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Mid Century Modern Vintage Black Metal Brass Umbrella Stand Walter Bosse Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage umbrella stand or paper basket from metal and brass by Walter Bosse 1950s Austria.
Stunning fish like brass detail performs the umbrella stand for a charming basket for many umbrellas. Through a cast iron tray...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Metal, 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
Thermometer with Bird, Brass and Wood, Walter Bosse/Hertha Baller Vienna
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A thermometer by Walter Bosse/Hertha Baller. Vintage mid century. Wiener Bronze Austria ca. 1950´s.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Cork Screw in Ape Shape, Brass Blackened, Walter Bosse/Herta Baller Vienna
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Cork screw in ape shape by Walter Bosse/Herta Baller. Brass partially blackened.
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Brass
Beautiful Teddy Bear in Black Golden Line from the Famous Designer Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse
Located in ARGENTEUIL, FR
Beautiful and charming little teddy bear in black golden line from the famous designer designer
Walter Bosse (1904 - 1979)
Beautiful original patina from the mid-20th century.
H...
Category
1940s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Thermometer with Birds, Wood and Brass, Walter Bosse/Hertha Baller Vienna
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A thermometer with bird sculptures by Walter Bosse/Hertha Baller.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian 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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