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Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

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
Ceramic advertising figure by W. Bosse for the Karlsruhe Majolika. 1940 - 1950
By Walter Bosse
Located in CADALSO, ES
Rare advertising figurine from Fernkabel Rastatt Germany. The company Deutsche Fernkabel Gesellschaft Rastatt was merged into Nokia Siemens Networks in 2008.
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic

Walter Bosse Bell, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Walter Bosse Bell, 1950s.
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Vintage Design: 1950s Whale-Shaped Ashtray by Walter Bosse in Elegant Bronze
By Walter Bosse
Located in Rome, IT
Discover the allure of mid-century design with this captivating whale-shaped ashtray created by the esteemed Austrian designer Walter Bosse during the 1950s. The sleek and modern des...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Monkey Salt and Pepper Shakers Set, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian midcentury shaker set from the 1950s, displaying a cute monkey holding salt and pepper shakers. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, manufactured by Hertha Baller i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Glass

Rare bottle opener from walter bosse vienna around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Rare bottle opener from walter bosse vienna around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Walter bosse ashtay vienna around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter bosse ashtay vienna around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

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
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Bottle Stopper Pourer, Baller Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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 Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

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...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Bronze

Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Bottle Stopper Pourer, Baller Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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 Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Sculpture by Walter Bosse, Ashtray in Brass, Austria circa 1960, Old Patina
By Walter Bosse
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This ashtray is a sculpture from walter bosse, it is in Bronze with a green and gold patina. it has been done circa 1950 in Wien.
Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Ashtray by Walter Bosse Vienna Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Ashtray by walter bosse vienna around 1950s Marked on Bottom.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

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 Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Bottle Opener, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse cat bottle opener, 1950s Original condition.  
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass, Nickel, Metal

Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Jewelry Ring Holder, Herta Baller Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian brass cat figurine originally made to be used as a pretzel holder, a decorative piece, very suitable as a ring holder. A very hu...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Cat Cork Screw, Brass Blackened, Walter Bosse Vienna, Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A cork screw in the shape of a cat by Walter Bosse made of partially blackened brass.   
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Bottle Opener by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Bottle opener by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s. Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Metal, Brass

Sword Fish Cork Screw, Brass Blackened, Hertha Baller/Walter Bosse Vienna, AUT
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A cork screw in shape of a sword fish by Hertha Baller/Walter Bosse.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

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 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 Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Metal

Bottle Opener Shows an Penguin by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Bottle opener shows an penguin by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s. Original condition (J B).
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Bottle Opener Shows an Penguin by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Bottle opener shows an penguin by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Brass Dinner Bell Displaying a Cat by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming midcentury table bell displaying a cat. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass, in very good condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

2 Ashtrays by Walter Bosse Vienna Around 1950s 'Marked'
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
2 Ashtrays by Walter Bosse Vienna around 1950s Original condition Pair price.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

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 midcentury Shaker set, displaying a donkey. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 195...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Metal, Brass

Walter Bosse Fish Mid-Century Brass Bowl Ashtray Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist brass 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 good condition...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Fish Midcentury Brass Ashtray or Bowl, Herta Baller, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist bowl or ashtray in the shape of a fish. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass, in excellent condi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Cork Screw in Ape Shape, Brass Blackened, Walter Bosse/Herta Baller Vienna
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Cork screw in ape shape by Walter Bosse/Herta Baller. Brass partially blackened.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

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 Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

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.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Hertha Baller Pipe Holder, Vienna, circa 1950s 'Marked'
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Hertha Baller pipe holder, Vienna, circa 1950s (Marked) Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Asymmetrical Modernist Black Brass Ashtray by Herta Baller, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A stylish modernist ashtray with amazing asymmetrical shape. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass, in good condition with nice patina.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

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 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 Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Brass Cat Wine Bottle Holder by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful wine caddy bottle holder, made of brass. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass, in excellent condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Dining Bell
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse dining bell Original condition.
Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

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 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

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, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

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.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Letter Holder by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Letter holder by Walter Bosse.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

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.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Bottle Holder, Cat Blackened Brass, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A nice wine bottle holder made of blackened and partly polished brass by Walter Bosse, Austria, 1950s.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

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.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Brass Salt Shaker by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass salt shaker by Walter Bosse from the 1950s. The shaker is made from white plastic.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

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.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse serveware, ceramics, silver and glass for sale on 1stDibs.

Walter Bosse serveware, ceramics, silver and glass 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 serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original serveware, ceramics, silver and glass 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 serveware, ceramics, silver and glass by Herta Baller, Richard Rohac, and Werkstätte Carl Auböck. Prices for Walter Bosse serveware, ceramics, silver and glass can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $120 and can go as high as $890, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $458.

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