Walter Bosse Sculptures
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.
Color: Brown
Creator: Walter Bosse
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 Sculptures
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 Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Donkey Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Metal, 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 Sculptures
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 Sculptures
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 Sculptures
Materials
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 ...
Category
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures
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 Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Midcentury Cow Brass Figurine, Herta 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 Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Pretzel Holder, Ring Holder
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse brass cat figurine pretzel holder, ring holder
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Midcentury Baby Giraffe Brass Figurine, Herta 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 Herta Baller, Austria. In very good condition with mar...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Key Hanger Donkey, Dog, Cat and Cock, Herta Baller, Austria
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and rare key holder, displaying a donkey, a dog, a cat and a cock. Together they are the "town musicians of Bremen", from a fairy tale by the Grimm brothers. A very humoro...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Elephants Brass Key Hanger by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and rare key holder, displaying five elephants in different sizes. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller, Austria, in the 1950s. Also suitable as a towel holder or for dish towels...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
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 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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Walter Bosse Brass Key Hanger Donkey, Dog, Cat and Cock, Hertha Baller, Austria
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse brass key hanger donkey, dog, cat and cock, Hertha Baller, Austria.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Shoe Horn Displaying a Cow, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful brass shoehorn, 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 Sculptures
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 Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Two Walter Bosse Candleholders
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Sculptures
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 Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Rabbit Brass Cork Screw Bottle Opener, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Mid-Century bottle opener / cork screw, displaying a rabbit. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of polished brass...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Shoehorn Shows a Mouse by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Shoehorn shows a mouse by Walter Bosse
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Midcentury Calf 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 Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Rare Walter Bosse Key Hanger Monkeys
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Rare Walter Bosse key hanger monkeys
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Cow Brass Cork Screw Bottle Opener, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Huge Walter Bosse Pottery Ceramic Horse Sculpture, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely and huge handmade figurine / statue displaying a horse dated from 1947 to 1951. Designed by Walter Bosse, made of ceramic / terracotta in Kufst...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware, Terracotta
Mid-Century Brass Shoehorn by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Blackened brass with caw motif designed by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller in the 1950s.
Perfect original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Related Items
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
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Mid Century Modern Vintage Brass Key Hanger by Walter Bosse Herta Baller 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Very nice Key Hanger designed by Walter Bosse and executed by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s.
The motif signs the figures of the "Town Musicians of Bremen" a donkey, a dog, a cat and ...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Metal
H 9.84 in W 7.68 in D 1.38 in
Walter Bosse Cat Figurine with Thermometer, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Midcentury Fish Sculpture Brass Ashtray, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian midcentury brass ashtray from the 1950s, displaying a fish. A humorous design by Walter Bosse for Werkstätte Hagenauer V...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Rare Walter Bosse Brass Blackened "Lying Cat" from the 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare Walter Bosse Brass Blackened "Lying Cat" From The 1950s,
can be used as a holder (candle)
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Miniature Owl Figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic mid-century 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...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Bosse Baller Cat Letter Opener Bronze Vienna Austria, 1950s Mid-Century Modern
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
H 6.75 in W 3.75 in D 0.63 in
Walter Bosse, for Herta Baller, "Black Gold Line" Porcupine in Bronze, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Walter Bosse
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical and unique solid brass catch it all jewelry ring holder, circa 1950's practical and unique.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Owl Figurine by Walter Bosse Around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Owl figurine by walter bosse around 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Hand Sculpture Figurative Ashtray Pin Dish Vide Poche c. 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A beautiful modernist vide poche or ashtray in the shape of a hand designed by Walter Bosse and probably executed by Herta Baller Austria in the 1950s.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Bronze
H 1.5 in W 5.12 in D 3.94 in
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 Sculptures
Hedgehog Sculpture by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Hedgehog by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Previously Available Items
Walter Bosse Brass Key Hanger Elephant and Mouse, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Den Haag, NL
A charming and rare vintage midcentury key holder, displaying an elephant and a little mouse. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass, in very good condition. Also suitable as a towel holder or for dish towels...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
H 3.94 in W 8.27 in D 0.79 in
Dog Figurine, Brass, Walter Bosse Vienna, Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A small dog figurine by Walter Bosse made of brass.
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Huge Giraffe Ceramic Karlsruher Majolika
By Walter Bosse
Located in Krefeld, DE
Walter Bosse. Ceramic. Giraffe, very rare because it the biggest model of the giraffes by Karlsruher Majolika. Good condition without damages and r...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Walter Bosse Midcentury Brass Wall-Mounted Monkeys Key Hanger, 1950s, Austria
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Lovely midcentury Austrian key holder designed by Walter Bosse and made by Hertha Baller in 1950s. They are made of polished solid brass and displaying the three wise monkeys - embodying the proverbial principle "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil". The three monkeys...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Midcentury Pony Horse Brass Figurine, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely pony foal baby horse sculpture made of brass from the 1950s. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller. In good condition with nice patin...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
H 1.25 in W 2 in D 0.5 in
Walter Bosse Wiener Dog Midcentury Brass Figurine, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely sausage dog sculpture made of brass from the 1950s. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller. In good condition with charming patina.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
H 1.5 in W 4 in D 1 in
Walter Bosse Cat 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 cat. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass in ve...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Key Hanger Donkey, Dog, Cat and Cock, Hertha Baller, Austria
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and rare key holder, displaying a donkey, a dog, a cat and a cock. Together they are the "town musicians of Bremen", from a fairy tale by the Grimm brothers. A very humoro...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
H 10 in W 8 in D 1 in
Set of 6 Hedgehog Ashtrays by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller 1960 Austria Design
By Walter Bosse
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller
Set of 6 ashtrays.
Original perfect conditions.
Size: 7 x 13 x 8 cm.
Category
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Metal
H 2.76 in W 3.15 in D 5.12 in
Walter Bosse Midcentury Brass Wall-Mounted Monkeys Key Hanger, 1950s, Austria
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Lovely midcentury Austrian key holder designed by Walter Bosse and made by Hertha Baller in 1950s. They are made of polished solid brass and displaying the three wise monkeys - embodying the proverbial principle "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil". The three monkeys...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Midcentury Fish Brass Figurine, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely fish sculpture made of brass from the 1950s. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller. In very good condition with marginal patina.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Brass Shoehorn by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Blackened brass with caw motif designed by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller in the 1950s.
Perfect original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Walter Bosse sculptures 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 sculptures, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original sculptures 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 sculptures by Herta Baller, Richard Rohac, and Leopold Anzengruber. Prices for Walter Bosse sculptures 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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