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.
"Noodle" Dachshund Brass Dog Bottle Opener by Bosse Vienna Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Classic early 1950s Austrian bottle opener, attributed to the Austrian Illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans depiction of "Noodle" the Dachshund dog. It was made by Bosse in Vienna. Measure...
Brass
Bosse Baller Corkscrew Halloween Cat Animal Vienna, Austria, 1950s Midcentury
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s Austrian corkscrew in the form of a Halloween cat. Nice addition to your room or just for your collection of Austrian bronze items. Found at an estate sale in Vie...
Bronze
Walter Bosse Corkscrew Horseshoe Vienna, Austria, 1950s, Mid-Century
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s Austrian Walter Bosse design corkscrew in the form of a horseshoe. Nice addition to your room or just for your collection of Austrian bronze items. Found at an es...
Bronze
Beautiful Walter Bosse Austrian Bronze Bear Bottle Opener 1950s
By Walter Bosse
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 Mid-Century Brass Corkscrew, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A sculptural mid-century cork screw bottle opener in the form of a fish. Crafted from brass with a combination of polished and black-patinated surfaces. This charming and humorous de...
Brass
"Noodle" Dachshund Brass Dog Bottle Opener by Bosse Vienna Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Classic early 1950s Austrian bottle opener, attributed to the Austrian Illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans depiction of "Noodle" the Dachshund dog. It was made by Bosse in Vienna. Measure...
Brass
Rare bottle opener from walter bosse vienna around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Rare bottle opener from walter bosse vienna around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Walter bosse " panter" bottle opener around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter bosse " panter" bottle opener around 1950s Original condition
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, ...
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Cat Wine Bottle Holder by Herta Baller Vienna, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A sculptural mid-century wine caddy / bottle holder from the 1950s, displaying a cat. A humorous design by Walter Bosse and manufactured by Hertha Baller in Vienna, Austria. Construc...
Brass
$187Sale Price / item|20% Off
Two Owls Bottle Stopper by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Two Owls bottle stopper by Walter Bosse 2 are available, priced and sold per piece. Original condition.
Brass
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...
Brass
$552Sale Price|27% Off
Austrian Midcentury Brass Cat Wine Bottle Holder by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Big iconic Austrian 1950s brass cat bottle holder.
Brass
Owl Bronze Bottle Stopper by Walter Bosse, Vienna Austria 1950s
By Walter Bosse
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
Bosse pipe holder vienna around 1950s ( marked on Bottom )
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Bosse pipe holder vienna around 1950s ( marked on Bottom ) 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 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
Walter Bosse Bottle Opener, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse cat bottle opener, 1950s Original condition.
Metal, Brass, Nickel
Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Bottle Stopper Pourer, Baller Austria, 1950s
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...
Brass, Bronze
Walter Bosse Corkscrew Horseshoe Vienna, Austria, 1950s, Mid-Century
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s Austrian Walter Bosse design corkscrew in the form of a horseshoe. Nice addition to your room or just for your collection of Austrian bronze items. Found at an es...
Bronze
Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Bottle Stopper Pourer, Baller Austria, 1950s
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...
Brass, Bronze
Walter Bosse cat bottle opener vienna around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse cat bottle opener vienna around 1950s Original condition
Metal, Brass
$175Sale Price|31% Off
Bottle Opener by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Bottle opener by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s. Original condition.
Metal, Brass
Walter Bosse Bottle Opener Shows a Elephant Vienna Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Bottle Opener Shows a Elephant Vienna Around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Bottle Opener Shows an Penguin by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Bottle opener shows an penguin by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s. Original condition (J B).
Brass
$421Sale Price|30% Off
Big Brass Cat Bottle Holder by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Big brass cat bottle holder by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s (The Bottle is only decoration, not for sale) Original condition.
Brass
$351Sale Price|57% Off
Brass Wine Bottle Holder by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Amazing brass wine bottle holder by Walter Bosse original condition.
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 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
Bottle Opener Shows an Penguin by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Bottle opener shows an penguin by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s Original condition.
Brass
$185
H 1 in W 4.63 in D 0.75 in
"Noodle" Dachshund Dog Bottle Opener Bosse Vienna Austria, 1950s, Midcentury
By Ludwig Bemelmans
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s Austrian bottle opener, attributed to be designed by Ludwig Bemelmans showing "Noodle" the Dachshund dog. Nice addition to your room or just for your collection o...
Brass
$444
H 0.99 in W 0.79 in D 4.34 in
Mid-Century Dachshund, large, Bottle Opener from Walter Bosse, Austria 1950's
Located in Vienna, Austria
Charming mid-century bottle opener in the form of a Dachshund. Made out of solid brass, designed by Walter Bosse, produced by Herta Baller.
Brass
Bottle Opener by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Bottle opener by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s. Original condition.
Metal, Brass
Owl Bronze Bottle Stopper by Walter Bosse, Vienna Austria 1950s
By Walter Bosse
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
$930
H 3.55 in W 5.44 in D 2.68 in
Rare Walter Bosse for Herta Baller Brass Fish Sculpture Ashtray. Austria, 1950s.
By Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien, Walter Bosse, Richard Rohac, Herta Baller, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Malmö, SE
Large and rare fish sculpture / ashtray / bowl in solid brass. Designed by Walter Bosse for Herta Baller in Vienna, Austria, 1950s. Great original condition, with amazing patina. ...
Metal, Brass
Ashtray by Walter Bosse Vienna Around 1950s ( signed Baller )
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Ashtray by Walter Bosse Vienna Around 1950s ( signed Baller ) Original condition
Brass
1950s German Bronze Key Corkscrew Wine Bottle Opener Worms
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s European Bronze Key Corkscrew Wine Bottle Opener In Vino Worms Germany Veritas stamped 5.5 T x 2 W x .5 d Original vintage unrestored Refer to images.
Brass, Bronze
$320
H 3.5 in W 5 in D 1 in
Vintage 50s 60s Vienna Elephant Herta Baller Corkscrew Brass Bronze Hagenauer
By Herta Baller
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Herta Baller Patinated Brass Elephant, Austria, 1950s This charming Mid-Century Modern elephant sculpture is an authentic Herta Baller design from the 1950s. It is 100% original and...
Metal
Two Owls Bottle Stopper by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Two Owls bottle stopper by Walter Bosse 2 are available, priced and sold per piece. Original condition.
Brass
Walter Bosse, Two Monkey Corkscrews, 1950s, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse, two monkey corkscrew 1950s Austria, good original condition.
Brass
$180
H 5.25 in W 1.63 in D 1.5 in
Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Bottle Stopper Pourer, Baller Austria, 1950s
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...
Brass, Bronze
$290
H 3.5 in W 3 in D 3 in
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, ...
Brass
Walter Bosse cat bottle opener vienna around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse cat bottle opener vienna around 1950s Original condition
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 0.79 in W 4.34 in D 0.79 in
"Noodle" Dachshund Brass Dog Bottle Opener by Bosse Vienna Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Classic early 1950s Austrian bottle opener, attributed to the Austrian Illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans depiction "Noodle" the Dachshund dog. It was made by Bosse in Vienna. Measuremen...
Brass
Bottle opener shows a owl bosse vienna around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Bottle opener shows a owl bosse vienna around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Sold
H 0.79 in W 0.6 in D 3.94 in
Mid-Century Dachshund Bottle Opener, Small, from Walter Bosse, Vienna 1950's
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, Austria
Charming mid-century small size bottle open in the form of a Dachshund. Designed by Walter Bosse.
Brass
Dachshund Bottle Opener by Walter Bosse Vienna, Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Dachshund bottle opener by Walter Bosse Vienna, around 1950s. Original condition.
Metal, Brass
Walter Bosse "Monkey" Bottle Opener Vienna Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse " monkey " bottle opener vienna around 1950s Original condition.
Metal, Brass
Bottle Opener Shows a Cat by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Bottle opener shows a cat by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s Original condition.
Brass
Sold
H 6.25 in W 2.63 in D 1.38 in
Walter Bosse Corkscrew Horseshoe Vienna, Austria, 1950s, Midcentury
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s Austrian Walter Bosse design corkscrew in the form of a Horseshoe. Nice addition to your room or just for your collection of Austrian bronze items. Found at an es...
Bronze
Sold
H 6.75 in W 3.25 in D 1.38 in
Bosse Baller Corkscrew Halloween Cat Animal Vienna, Austria, 1950s Midcentury
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s Austrian corkscrew in the form of a Halloween cat. Nice addition to your room or just for your collection of Austrian bronze items. F...
Bronze
Walter Bosse Corkscrew Horseshoe Vienna, Austria, 1950s, Midcentury
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s Austrian Walter Bosse design corkscrew in the form of a Horseshoe. Nice addition to your room or just for your collection of Austrian bronze items. Found at an es...
Bronze
Sold
H 5.25 in W 3.25 in D 1.38 in
Bosse Baller Corkscrew Halloween Cat Animal Vienna, Austria, 1950s Midcentury
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s Austrian corkscrew in the form of a Halloween cat. Nice addition to your room or just for your collection of Austrian bronze items. F...
Bronze
Walter Bosse Bronze Black Monkey Corkscrew Bottle Opener
By Walter Bosse
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Bronze corkscrew bottle opener designed by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, circa 1950s. Corkscrew measures 5" by 4.5" by 1" and is in very good vintage condition.
Bronze