Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
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.
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 Sculptural Brass Hand Bowl or Ashtray, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful sculptural modernist brass bowl in the shape of a hand. Originally designed as an ashtray this elegant brass object is also suitable as a jewelry bowl, a ring holder or a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Dog Figurine with a Thermometer by Walter Bosse Vienna Around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Dog figurine with a thermometer by Walter Bosse vienna around 1950s.
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse pencil holder around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse pencil holder around 1950
Original condition
Pencil not included
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
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 Desk Accessories
Materials
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.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Austrian Midcentury Golden Brass Dachshund Letter Opener by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
This charming Austrian Midcentury golden solid brass letter opener or paper knife has been designed by Walter Bosse and produced by Herta Baller in the 1950s. The dog features a long...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Midcentury Zebra Donkey Brass Sculpture, Hertha Baller, Austria
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful modernist brass figurine, displaying a zebra from the left side and a donkey from the other side. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller, Austr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Pencile Holder Fish by Hertha Baller, Vienna, around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Pencile holder fish by Hertha Baller, Vienna, around 1950s
Original condition
The pencile is only for the photoshooting (not included).
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Donkey Brass Figurine Pen Holder, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A very charming Austrian midcentury pen or pencil holder, displaying a donkey. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass in...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Cat Crumbs Table Cleaning Set for Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse cat crumbs table cleaning set for Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
Good original condition
Broom dimensions :
H 10.5cm
W 1.5cm
D 11cm
Shovel:
H 1.5cm
W 12cm
D 9....
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Midcentury Cow Brass Figurine, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A little cow sculpture made of brass from the 1950s. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller. In good condition with charming patina on the brass.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Midcentury Deer Fawn Brass Figurine, Hertha 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 nic...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Cow Brass Figurine Pen Holder, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A very charming Austrian midcentury pen or pencil holder sculpture, displaying a cow. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of b...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Sea Lion Seal Brass Figurine, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming little seal sculpture, made of brass from the 1950s. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. In excellent condition. Marked. We offer mor...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Giraffe Figurine, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming giraffe figurine, made of brass. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed in the 1950s by Hertha Baller Austria. In excellent c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Wiener Dog Brass Figurine with Thermometer, Baller Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A very charming Austrian Mid-Century desk thermometer, consisting of a nice wiener dog / sausage dog figurine made of brass and a lantern-shaped thermome...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Midcentury Horse Brass Figurine, Hertha 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 Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Midcentury Baby Giraffe Brass Figurine, Hertha Baller, Austria
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely baby giraffe sculpture made of brass from the 1950s. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller, Austria. In very good condition with...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
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 Desk Accessories
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 Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Cat Figurine with Thermometer, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse cat figurine with thermometer, 1950s
Austrian desk thermometer, cat figurine and a lantern-shaped thermometer.
Designed by Walter Bo...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Cancer Zodiac Sign Brass Figurine by Hertha 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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Zebra Donkey Salt and Pepper Shaker Set
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Brass Table Bell by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Desk Accessories
Walter Bosse Cat Figurine with Thermometer, Hertha Baller Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A very charming Austrian Mid-Century desk thermometer, consisting of a nice cat figurine and a lantern-shaped thermometer. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Midcentury Calf Cow Brass Figurine, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely calf / baby cow sculpture made of brass from the 1950s. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller, Austria. In very good condition with marginal patina.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Poodle Figurine, Lucky Charm, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming poodle figurine, made of brass designed by Walter Bosse, executed in the 1950s by Hertha Baller, Austria. In excellent condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Mid-Century Horse Brass Figurine, Hertha 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 very good condition with charming patina. We offer more Walter Bos...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Cat Business Card Holder
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse cat business card holder
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Cat Figurine with Thermometer, Hertha Baller Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, 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, executed by Hertha Baller Austr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Walter Bosse Paragraph Lawyer Brass Sculpture, Hertha 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 ver...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Table Bell "Penguin" by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Solid brass partially blackened, designed by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller in the 1950s.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Rare Austrian Brass Matchbox Holder by Walter Bosse, circa 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 us...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Table Bell "Cock" by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Solid brass blackened, designed by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller in the 1950s.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs
Walter Bosse desk accessories are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive objects are frequently made of metal and designed with extraordinary care. In our collection of Walter Bosse desk accessories there are many options to choose from, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. We stock 36 vintage versions of these items, while there is 0 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original desk accessories by Walter Bosse were created in Europe during the mid-20th century in the modern style of the mid-century. If you are looking for additional options, many customers also consider desk accessories by Hertha Baller, Werkstätte Carl Auböck and Richard Rohac. The prices for Walter Bosse desk accessories can vary depending on size, time period and other attributes. The price for these items starts at $220 and tops out at $948, while pieces like these can sell for $375 on average.
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