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 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 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,...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern 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 Bosse...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Midcentury Brass Horse Figurine, Herta 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 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 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 Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Poodle Figurine, Lucky Charm, Herta 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
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 Desk Accessories
Hedgehog Set Ashtray in Brass by Walter Bosse for Herta Baller, 1955, Set of 6
By Walter Bosse
Located in CADALSO, ES
With all the pieces rare to find
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Holder for 3 pipes by walter bosse vienna around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Desk Accessories
Materials
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 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern 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 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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Fish Multiple Pen Holder
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse fish multiple pen holder
the pens are not incudet they are only for the photoshooting.
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Midcentury Cow Brass Figurine, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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
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 Desk Accessories
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 Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Midcentury Baby Giraffe Brass Figurine, Herta Baller, Austria
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely baby giraffe sculpture made of brass from the 1950s. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller VIenna, Austria. In very good condition w...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
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 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
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 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.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
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 Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
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Walter Bosse brass hedgehog figurine pretzel holder, ring holder around 1950s
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Ashtray by Walter Bosse Vienna Around 1950s ( signed Baller )
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
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Original condition
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Hedgehog by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Hedgehog by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller
Original condition.
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Miniature Cat Figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
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Classic mid-century 1950s Vienna bronze figurine by Walter Bosse. Found at an estate sale in Vienna, Austria.
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Walter Bosse Vintage Brass Hand Ashtray for Herta Baller
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
This elegant and heavy ashtray by Walter Bosse for Herta Baller (Model 844) is an original Austrian Mid-Century piece of sculptural character. The object...
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Owl Figurine by Walter Bosse Around 1950s
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Brass Walter Bosse Hedgehog Sculpture Stacking Ashtrays 1950s Austrian
By Walter Bosse
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Ashtray in painted metal, with a green and gold patina. The artist is Walter bosse, and this model is the luxury one.
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1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
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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...
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Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
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Walter Bosse Rooster Dinner Bell, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse rooster dinner bell, 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Previously Available Items
Cat Pencil Holder by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Cat pencil holder by Walter Bosse
The pencil is not for sale it is only for the photoshooting
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Letter Opener Sausage Dog by Walter Bosse, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Letter opener sausage dog by Walter Bosse, 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Sculptural Brass Hand Bowl or Ashtray, Herta 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 a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
H 2 in W 3 in D 3.5 in
Walter Bosse Bronze Hand Vide Poche, Bowl, Black and Gold Line
By Walter Bosse
Located in London, GB
A very good early example of a hand shaped bronze vide poche by the Austrian designer Walter Bosse for Herta Balla.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold, Brass, Bronze
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 Dachshund Pen Holder around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Dachshund pen holder around 1950s
Original condition
The pen is not included it is only for the photoshooting.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Little Pony, Brass, Walter Bosse/Herta Baller Vienna, Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A little pony made of brass by Walter Bosse/Herta Baller.
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Austrian Midcentury Golden Brass Dachshund Letter Opener by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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
H 1.19 in W 8.67 in D 0.79 in
Walter Bosse Brass Hand Midcentury Ashtray by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful modernist ashtray in the shape of a hand. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Baller Austria in the 1950s. Also suitable as a jewelry and ring holder. Made of ...
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
Sh...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
H 3.94 in W 0.4 in D 4.34 in
"Bremen Town Musicians" Key Hanger Wall Decoration by Walter Bosse Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A midcentury brass key hanger wall decoration. A design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller, Austria in the 1950s. Made of black finished brass. In very good used condition. V...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Rare "Bremen Town Musicians" Key Hanger Wall Decoration by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A midcentury brass key hanger wall decoration. A design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller, Austria in the 1950s. Made of black finished brass. In very good condition. Very c...
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 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 desk accessories, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desk accessories by Walter Bosse were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desk accessories by Herta Baller, Werkstätte Carl Auböck, and Richard Rohac. Prices for Walter Bosse desk accessories can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $220 and can go as high as $720, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $360.
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