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.
Walter Bosse Rare Cat and Mouse Door Bell, circa 1950, Austria.
By Walter Bosse
Located in Brussels, BE
Incredible rare Walter Bosse cat and mouse door bell, circa 1950, Austria. Polished and blackened brass. Dimensions: 44 cm H, 27 cm D, 13 cm W. Good original condition, item never se...
Brass
Italian 1950s Brass Door Handles
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid brass door handle in concave round form Measuring diameter 9.8 x 11.2 total of the two handles
Brass
Continental Austrian Brass Door Knockers
Located in Queens, NY
2 Continental Austrian style (20th Century) brass door knockers with double headed eagle design (PRICED EACH)
Brass
$1,242 / set
H 6.82 in W 4.34 in D 2.6 in
Bronze Door Handle and Bell Push with Brutalist Design 20th Century, European
Located in London, GB
A rectangular bronze push or pull door handle, with Brutalist geometric design, together with matching bell push, mid-late 20th century, European. This is a heavy handle, made of ca...
Brass, Bronze
Pair of Large Italian 1950s Gilt Brass Door Handles
Located in CA, CA
A large pair of Italian 1950s Brass and gilt door handles with futurist horizontal ribbing in the form of modernist wings.
Metal
Pair of Large Italian 1950s Chrome Door Handles
Located in CA, CA
A pair of Italian 1950s door handles finished in chrome, with horizontal ribbing in the form of modernist wings.
Metal
Italian Brass Door Handles 1950s
Located in CA, CA
A pair of Italian 1950s brass door handles with a textured hand hammered finish forming a v-shape.
Brass
Pair of Italian 1950s Gilt Brass Door Handles
Located in CA, CA
A pair of Italian 1950s Brass and gilt door handles with futurist horizontal ribbing in the form of modernist wings.
Brass
Antique Stained Glass Door, Arts and Crafts Style, Circa 1920s, USA
By (after) Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in Lutz, FL
Antique Arts and Crafts Prairie Style Stained Glass Door, Architectural Salvage. From a local estate filled with a collection of eclectic art and arti...
Stained Glass, Wood
$5,450 / set
H 94.5 in W 71 in D 4 in
Rare Mid-Century Carved Redwood Double Doors by Forms and Surfaces, 1970s
By Evelyn Ackerman, Forms and Surfaces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare set of Mid-Century carved redwood doors by American company Forms and Surfaces. Produced in the 1970s, this is a large, architectural pair of double doors with an expressive c...
Wood
Rose Quartz and Bronze Push Pull Door Handle, Circa 1970
Located in London, GB
Rose Quartz and Bronze push and pull door handle, a unique piece made from a semi precious stone in soft pink, set into a bronze holder that follows its natural shape and is made to measure. It is a piece of jewelry for your door. The handle is attached to a bronze bracket which will befitted to the door with two standard bolts (not supplied) suiting the thickness of your door. The handle can be applied inside or outside on a single door. It can also be used cupboard...
Bronze
Reclaimed 1930s Oak Front Door with Bell
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Crafted in the 1930s, this oak front door has stood the test of time for almost a century. It’s warm colour, varnished finish and stylish hardware give it a timeless appearance that ...
Wood, Oak
$4,830 / set
H 5.91 in W 6.3 in D 3.15 in
Set of Four Bronze Door Handles, Bell and Key Plate in Organic Relief, 1970s
Located in London, GB
Double pair of bronze door handles, bel and unused name plate with strong relief of organic lines is made in the 1960-70's. These architectural pieces are made of cast bronze. They a...
Bronze
Midcentury Planter by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Designed by Walter Bosse and made in Vienna 1947-1951, terracotta, glazed perforated wall with the elephant in relief. Very good original condition.
Terracotta
Walter Bosse Ceramic Flower Pot, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse ceramic flower pot (shows elephants) marked on bottom. Original condition. A little damage on the top (see the last picture).
Ceramic
Terracotta Planter by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Designed by Walter Bosse and made in Vienna 1947-1951, terracotta, perforated wall with elephant in relief.
Terracotta