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Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

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
Walter Bosse Midcentury Brass Horse 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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Small Walter Bosse Bear Figurine, Vienna, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Small Walter Bosse bear figurine, Vienna, circa 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Candleholder 'Bear', circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Candleholder 'Bear', circa 1950s Original condition The candle is not included it is only for the photoshooting
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Shoehorn Shows a Cat by Walter Bosse Around, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Shoehorn Shows a cat by Walter Bosse around 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Salt Pepper Donkey Set, Black Brass Teak Wood, Hertha Baller, 1950
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A salt and pepper shaker donkey set designed by Walter Bosse and manufactured by Hertha Baller, Austria, Vienna, in midcentury in 1950s. The donkey is made of blackened brass. The shakers are made of teak wood. This charming piece is an eyecatcher for every kitchen or dining table. About Walter Bosse and Hertha Baller: Walter Bosse (November 13, 1904–December 13, 1979) was a Viennese artist, designer, ceramist, potter, metalworker, and craftsman noted for his modernist bronze animal figurines...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

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 ...
Category

Late 20th Century German Art Deco Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Cat Pencil Holder by Walter Bosse around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Cat Pencil Holder by Walter Bosse around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Mid-Century Horse Brass Figurine, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely horse foal sculpture made of brass from the 1950s. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller. In very good condition with charming patina. We offer more Walter Bos...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Toothpick Holder Donkey Set, Black Brass Glass, Hertha Baller, 1950
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A toothpick holder set in the form of a donkey designed by Walter Bosse and manufactured by Hertha Baller, Austria, Vienna, in midcentury in 1950s. The donkey is made of patinated and aged blackened brass. The toothpick holders are made of glass. This charming piece is an eyecatcher for every kitchen or dining table. About Walter Bosse and Hertha Baller: Walter Bosse (November 13, 1904–December 13, 1979) was a Viennese artist, designer, ceramist, potter, metalworker, and craftsman noted for his modernist bronze animal figurines...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Pen holder by walter bosse shows a mouse around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Pen holder by walter bosse shows a mouse around 1950s Original condition The pen is not for sale it is only for the photoshooting
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Owls Bottle Stopper by Walter Bosse around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Owls Bottle Stopper by Walter Bosse around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Figurine Shows the Neptune Sea God, circa 1950s 'Marked on Bottom'
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Figurine Shows the Neptune Sea God, circa 1950s 'marked on bottom' Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Shoehorn Shows a Cat by Walter Bosse Around, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Shoehorn Shows a Cat by Walter Bosse Around, 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Brass Shoehorn Displaying a Cow, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful brass shoe horn, 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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Shoehorn Shows a Cat, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse shoehorn shows a cat, circa 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Paragraph Lawyer Brass Sculpture, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A Midcentury brass figurine, displaying a paragraph form the 1950s. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller, Austria. In very g...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

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.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

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 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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Mid-Century Cartwheel Brass Key Hanger, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A wall-mounted Mid-Century key holder / key board, designed in the shape of a cartwheel or wagon wheel. This piece was designed by Walter Bosse and crafted b...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

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 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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Pen holder by walter bosse shows a cat around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Pen holder by walter bosse shows a cat around 1950s The pen is not for sale it is only for the photoshooting Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Vintage Ceramic Pottery Vase by Walter Bosse - Rare
By Walter Bosse
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical vintage ceramic pottery vase by Walter Bosse, circa 1930's. This rare pot was hand crafted by Bosse in Austria and measures 4.5"W x 4"D x 4.25"H. The piece is in good vin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Cat Figurine by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Cat figurine by Walter Bosse Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Cow Figurine Table Thermometer by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Cancer Zodiac Sign Brass Figurine by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Shoehorn Shows a Cat, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse shoehorn shows a cat, circa 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

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 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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse candle holder around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse candle holder around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Candle Holder, Vienna, Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Candle holder vienna around 1950s. Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Hertha Baller Candle Vienna Around, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Hertha Baller candle vienna around 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Two Walter Bosse Candleholders
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Two Walter Bosse candleholders Original condition We not selling the candle she is only decoration.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Thermometer, 1950s for Table Vienna around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Thermometer, 1950s for table vienna around 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Candleholder Walter Bosse Cow, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Candleholder Walter Bosse cow Good original condition. (The candle is only for decoration for the photo shooting not for sell).
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Candle Holder 'bird' by Walter Bosse, around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Cute Little Figure Angel Candleholder by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass blackened candleholder in form of angel figurine made in Austria in the 1950s.  
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

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

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Cow Candleholder, Hertha Baller, Blackened Brass, 1960
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A candleholder in the form of a cow by Walter Bosse and manufactured by Hertha Baller, Austria, Vienna, in midcentury, circa 1960 (late 1950s or early 1960s). The candleholder is made of blackened and polished brass. It can be used for small ball shaped candles. This piece is an eyecatchers in every room. About Walter Bosse and Hertha Baller: Walter Bosse (November 13, 1904-December 13, 1979) was a Viennese artist, designer, ceramist, potter, metalworker, and craftsman noted for his modernist bronze animal...
Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

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 ...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Brass Table Bell by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Solid brass blackened, designed by Walter Bosse produced by Hertha Baller in the 1950s.
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Holder for 3 pipes by walter bosse vienna around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Holder for 3 pipes by walter bosse vienna around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Shoehorn Shows a Cat, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse shoehorn shows a cat, circa 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Walter Bosse decorative objects 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 decorative objects, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original decorative objects 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 decorative objects by Herta Baller, Franz Hagenauer, and Karl Hagenauer. Prices for Walter Bosse decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $120 and can go as high as $3,400, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $357.

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