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 Midcentury Deer Fawn Brass Figurine, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely fawn / baby deer sculpture made of brass from the 1950s. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller, Austria. In good condition with nice p...
Brass
Walter Bosse Rooster Ring Catcher/Ashtray/Catch-all C1950s Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Trensacq, FR
Walter Bosse Rooster Ring Catcher/Ashtray, Vienna, c. 1950s A rare rooster ring catcher/ashtray in solid blackened brass, designed by Walter Bosse and pr...
Brass
$233Sale Price|33% Off
Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Pretzel Holder, Ring Holder
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
Austrian brass cat figurine, usually made to be used as a pretzel holder, a decorative piece, very suitable as a ring holder.
Brass
Walter Bosse Sculptural Brass Hand Bowl or Ashtray, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful mid-century sculptural brass bowl designed in the shape of a hand. Originally conceived as an ashtray, this elegant brass piece is versatile to be used as a jewelry bowl,...
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Giraffe Sculpture Figurine, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming mid century giraffe figurine, made of brass. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed in the 1950s by Hertha Baller Austria. In excelle...
Brass
Small Walter Bosse Cat Figurine Around 1950s, 'Marked'
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Small Walter bosse cat figurine around 1950s Brass, Nickel - plated Original condition.
Brass, Nickel
Walter Bosse Donkey Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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...
Metal
Two Mid Century brass cats as ring holders by Walter Bosse for Herta Baller
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in München, DE
Two original mid-century modern brass cat ring holders by Walter Bosse for Herta Baller. Beautiful, great design. Made in Austria. Manufactured in the 1950s. Very good condition with...
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...
Brass
Walter Bosse Candleholder 'Bear', circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Walter Bosse Candleholder 'Bear', circa 1950s Original condition The candle is not included it is only for the photoshooting
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Jewelry Ring Holder, 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...
Bronze
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 ...
Brass
Walter Bosse Cancer Zodiac Sign Brass Figurine by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Cancer figurine, made of brass, designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller, Austria, in the 1950s. In very good condition. We offer more Water Bosse brass objec...
Brass
Small Libra Zodiac Sign by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Small Libra Zodiac Sign by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s Original condition
Brass
Walter Bosse Cat Figurine with Thermometer, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian desk thermometer, consisting of a lovely cat figurine and a lantern-shaped thermometer. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in th...
Brass
$257Sale Price|31% Off
Dog Figurine Holding a Thermometer by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
Dog Figurine holding a thermometer by Walter Bosse Original condition.
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...
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...
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.
Bronze
Zodiac Sign "Sagittarius" by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
Zodiac sign "Sagittarius" by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s Original condition.
Brass
$233Sale Price|28% Off
Candleholder Walter Bosse Cow, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
Candleholder Walter Bosse cow Good original condition. (The candle is only for decoration for the photo shooting not for sell).
Brass
Candle Holder 'bird' by Walter Bosse, around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
Candle holder (bird) by Walter Bosse, around 1950s Original condition The candle is only for the photoshoot (not included).
Brass
$186Sale Price|27% Off
Rocking Horse by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Rocking horse by Walter Bosse Original condition.
Brass
Richard Rohac candle holder by Walter Bosse 1960s Austria
By Walter Bosse, Richard Rohac
Located in Den Haag, NL
Table Candle Holder with 3 lights, made of heavy iron and brass in a typical Mid Century Modern triangle shape and the base frame formed into a "W", by Walter Bosse for Richard Rohac .
Brass
Walter Bosse Wall Thermometer, Vienna around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
Walter Bosse Wall Thermometer, Vienna around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Small Elephant Figurine by Walter Bosse Vienna Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Small Elephant Figurine by Walter Bosse Vienna Around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Shoehorn Squirrel Blackened Brass by Walter Bosse, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A nice shoehorn made of blackened and partly polished brass by Walter Bosse, Austria, 1950s. The handle is in the form of a squirrel. That tail can be used as hook. Very nice patina ...
Brass
$222Sale Price|26% Off
Walter Bosse Candleholder 'Bear'
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
Walter Bosse candleholder (bear) (The selling is without the candle it is only decoration for the photo shooting) Original condition.
Brass
Pen holder by walter bosse shows a mouse around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
Pen holder by walter bosse shows a mouse around 1950s Original condition The pen is not for sale it is only for the photoshooting
Brass
Hertha Baller Candle Vienna Around, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Hertha Baller candle vienna around 1950s Original condition.
Brass
Walter Bosse Midcentury Baby 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.
Brass
Walter Bosse Woman in Biedermeier Dress Brass Wall 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...
Brass
Small Libra Zodiac Sign by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Small Libra Zodiac sign by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s Original condition.
Brass
$210Sale Price|25% Off
Candleholder by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
Candleholder by Walter Bosse. Excellent original condition.
Brass
$174Sale Price|25% Off
Walter Bosse Scorpio Zodiac Sign Brass Figurine, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
Walter Bosse Scorpio zodiac sign brass figurine, 1950s Original condition.
Brass
$300Sale Price|20% Off
Walter Bosse Cat Ring Holder for Hertha Baller Blackened Brass, 1950's
By Walter Bosse
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare Walter Bosse cat ring holder circa 1950's nicely patinated, some brass left from the original finish some scratches and painting it's off as shown.
Metal
Cat Figurine Pretzel Holder, Ring Holder by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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.
Brass
Pair of Blackened Bronze Small Bear Trays / Candle Holders by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse
Located in San Diego, CA
Fun pair of blackened bronze small bear trinket trays / candle holders by Walter Bosse , circa 1950's. The pair are in very good vintage condition with a great patina and measure 2....
Bronze
Mid Century Modern Vintage Brass Key Hanger Walter Bosse Herta Baller 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage key hanger or coat hooks designed by Walter Bosse and executed by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s. The motif signs the figures of the "Town Musicians of Brem...
Metal
Walter Bosse Cat Ring Holder for Hertha Baller Blackened Aluminium, 1950's
By Walter Bosse
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical rare Walter Bosse cat ring holder circa 1950's nicely patinated, in aluminium with black enameled finish ,original finish some scratches and ...
Metal
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...
Brass
$221Sale Price|26% Off
Walter Bosse Candle Holder 'Bear'
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Walter Bosse candle holder (bear) (The selling is without the candle it is only decoration for the photo shooting) Original condition.
Brass
$186Sale Price / item|36% Off
2 Bear Penholder by Walter Bosse, Vienna, 1950s (sold and priced per piece)
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
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)
Brass
Cute Bronze Dachshund Dog Figurine, Walter Bosse Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Early 1950s Austrian Walter Bosse Figurine An elegant early 1950s Bosse figurine, crafted in Austria and exemplary of mid-century Austrian bronze design. The piece displays signatur...
Bronze
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...
Bronze
Petite Schnauzer Dog Figurine by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small aluminum animal trinket dish by Austrian ceramicist and metalworker Walter Bosse. Produced in 1960s Germany, this fun figurine is perfect shelf, desk decor or a ring holder. D...
Aluminum
lot of three Bronze Elephant Figure by Walter Bosse, Vienna Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Lot of three Early 1950s - 1960s Austrian Walter Bosse Elephant Figurines An elegant early 1950s lot of figurines, crafted in Austria and exemplary of mid-century Austrian bronze de...
Bronze
Walter Bosse Wiener Dog Brass Figurine with Lantern Thermometer, Baller, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian Mid-Century desk thermometer, consisting of a nice wiener dog / sausage dog figurine made of brass and a lantern-shaped thermometer. A very humorous design by Wal...
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 an elephant family. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller, Austria, in the 1950s. Also suitable as a towel holder or for dish...
Brass
Rare Walter Bosse Lidded Brass Box w. Zebra Pattern. Austria, 1950s.
By Walter Bosse, Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Herta Baller, Richard Rohac, Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien
Located in Malmö, SE
Rare lidded box in solid brass. Designed and made by Walter Bosse in Vienna, Austria, 1950s. Great original condition, with amazing patina. Born in 1904 to academic painter parent...
Metal, Brass
Bull Head Figurine by Walter Bosse Vienna Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Bull head figurine by Walter Bosse vienna around 1950s Original condition.
Brass
Owl Figurine by Walter Bosse Around 1950s ( marked )
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
Owl Figurine by Walter Bosse Around 1950s Original condition Marked on Bottom
Brass
Walter Bosse Dachshund Pen Holder
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
Walter Bosse dachshund pen holder (the feather is not for sale she is decoration for the picture) Original condition.
Brass
Small Playing seal figurine by walter bosse around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
Small Playing seal figurine by walter bosse around 1950s Original condition
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...
Metal, 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...
Brass
Walter Bosse Elephant Figurine with Thermometer, Baller Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
Walter Bosse Elephant Figurine with Thermometer, Baller Austria, 1950s Original condition
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Key Hanger Donkey, Dog, Cat and Cock, Hertha Baller, Austria
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Walter Bosse Brass Key Hanger Donkey, Dog, Cat and Cock, Hertha Baller, Austria Original condition
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Shoe Horn, around circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Walter Bosse Brass Shoe Horn, around circa 1950s Polished and stove enameled
Brass
Elephant Penholder by Walter Bosse, Vienna, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Elephant Penholder by Walter Bosse, Vienna, 1950s Original condition
Brass