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 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...
Brass
$191Sale Price / item|36% Off
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)
Brass
$238Sale Price|37% Off
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,...
Brass
VTG Walter Bosse Cast Brass / Bronze Figural Giraffe Figurine Mid Century Modern
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Cute mid century modern black patinated brass or bronze giraffe miniature figurine, designed by Walter Bosse for Herta Baller in the 1950s/60s.
Brass, Bronze
Miniature Fish Figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic midcentury 1950s Vienna bronze figurine by Walter Bosse. This gorgeous small miniature creature with big personality designed by Walter Bosse, an expert craftsman from the golden age of Vienna bronzes is a real beauty. He designed his “black/gold” series of bronze figurines to make “as many people as possible happy.” Excellent example of a Walter Bosse brass figurine...
Bronze, Brass
Walter Bosse Pencil Holder 'Marked' Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse pencil holder( marked ) around 1950s The pencil is not icluded ( it is only for the photoshooting ) Original condition.
Brass
Cat Figurine Holding a Thermometer by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Cat Figurine Holding a Thermometer by Walter Bosse Original condition
Brass
Walter Bosse Large Baby Deer Pottery Ceramic Sculpture, Austria, 1920s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and large handmade figurine / statue depicting a baby deer / fawn. Originally designed as a doorstop by Walter Bosse and manufactured between 1924 and 1936 in Kufstein, Ty...
Ceramic, Terracotta
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.
Brass
Walter Bosse Dachshund Pen Holder
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse dachshund pen holder (the feather is not for sale she is decoration for the picture) Original condition.
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.
Brass
Shoehorn Shows a horse by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Shoehorn Shows a Capricorn by Walter Bosse Original condition
Brass
$262Sale Price|31% Off
Walter Bosse Shoehorn, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Shoehorn, circa 1950s polished and stove enamelled.
Brass
Elephant Figurine with Thermometer Walter Bosse, Vienna Austria 1960s Midcentury
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s Austrian figurine, designed by Walter Bosse. Nice addition to your room, on your desk top or just for your collection of Austrian midcentury items. Charming, big ...
Brass
$227Sale Price|26% Off
Walter Bosse Dog Pencil Holder
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse dog pencil holder. Original condition.
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).
Brass
Walter Bosse Fish Midcentury Brass Bowl or Ashtray, Herta Baller, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist bowl or ashtray in the shape of a fish. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass, in excellent condition....
Brass
Elephant Figurine with Thermometer Walter Bosse, Vienna Austria 1960s Midcentury
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s Austrian figurine, designed by Walter Bosse. Nice addition to your room, on your desk top or just for your collection of Austrian midcentury items. Charming, big ...
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...
Brass
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
Brass
Walter Bosse Figurine Shows the Neptune Sea God, circa 1950s 'Marked on Bottom'
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Figurine Shows the Neptune Sea God, circa 1950s 'marked on bottom' 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
Walter Bosse pencil holder around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse pencil holder around 1950 Original condition Pencil not included
Brass
Very Small Elephant Figurine by Walter Bosse, Around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Very small elephant figurine by walter bosse around 1950s. Original condition.
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.
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.
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Key Hanger Sea God and Mermaid, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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...
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...
Brass
Bull Head Figurine by Walter Bosse Vienna Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Bull head figurine by Walter Bosse vienna around 1950s Original condition.
Brass
Small Penguin by Walter Bosse, Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Small penguin by Walter bosse, around 1950s Marked Austria on Bottom Original condition.
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.
Brass
$215Sale Price|25% Off
Candleholder by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Candleholder by Walter Bosse. Excellent original condition.
Brass
$238Sale Price|28% Off
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.
Brass
Walter Bosse Shoehorn Shows a Cat, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse shoehorn shows a cat, circa 1950s Original condition.
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
Brass
$215Sale Price|25% Off
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.
Brass
Hertha Baller Candle Vienna Around, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Hertha Baller candle vienna around 1950s Original condition.
Brass
Small Rooster Figurine by Walter Bosse, Vienna, Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Small rooster figurine by Walter Bosse, Vienna, around 1950s Original condition.
Brass
Pencile Holder Fish by Hertha Baller, Vienna, around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Pencile holder fish by Hertha Baller, Vienna, around 1950s Original condition The pencile is only for the photoshooting (not included).
Brass
$262Sale Price|31% Off
Cow Figurine Holding a Thermometer by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Cow figurine holding a thermometer by Walter Bosse Original condition.
Brass
Walter Bosse Toothpick Holder Donkey Set, Black Brass Glass, Hertha Baller, 1950
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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...
Brass
Walter Bosse Cow Candleholder, Hertha Baller, Blackened Brass, 1960
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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...
Brass
Cow Pen Holder by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Cow pen holder by Walter Bosse Original condition.
Brass
$179Sale Price|31% Off
Napkin or Letter Holder by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Napkin or letter holder by Walter Bosse Original condition.
Brass
$477Sale Price|33% Off
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.
Brass
$227Sale Price|26% Off
Walter Bosse Candle Holder 'Bear'
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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.
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...
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.
Brass
Beautiful Walter Bosse Austrian Bronze Donkey Mule Napkin Stand 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Early 1950s - 1960s Austrian Walter Bosse Figurine An elegant early 1950s - 1960s figurine, crafted in Austria and exemplary of mid-century Austrian bronze design. The piece display...
Bronze
Walter Bosse Fish Multiple Pen Holder
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse fish multiple pen holder the pens are not incudet they are only for the photoshooting. Original condition.
Brass
Cat Pencil Holder by Walter Bosse around 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Cat Pencil Holder by Walter Bosse around 1950s Original condion The pencil is not included it is only for the photoshooting
Brass
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
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 ...
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 ...
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...
Brass
Rare Mid-Century Modern Austrian Brass Matchbox Holder by Walter Bosse c. 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 ...
Brass
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.
Brass
$191Sale Price|20% Off
Beautiful Teddy Bear in Black Golden Line from the Famous Designer Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse
Located in Argenteuil, IDF
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...
Bronze