Walter Bosse Tableware
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 Bell, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Walter Bosse Bell, 1950s.
Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Tableware
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Monkey Salt and Pepper Shakers Set, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Tableware
Materials
Glass
Walter Bosse Rooster Dinner Bell, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Rooster dinner bell, 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Tableware
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Jewelry Ring Holder, Herta Baller Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Tableware
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 Tableware
Materials
Metal, Brass
Walter Bosse Rooster Dinner Bell, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse rooster dinner bell, 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Tableware
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 Tableware
Materials
Metal
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 Tableware
Materials
Brass
Hertha Baller Pipe Holder, Vienna, circa 1950s 'Marked'
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Hertha Baller pipe holder, Vienna, circa 1950s (Marked)
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Tableware
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Cat Wine Bottle Holder by Herta Baller Vienna, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Tableware
Materials
Brass
Letter Holder by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Letter holder by Walter Bosse.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Tableware
Brass Salt Shaker by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Tableware
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Bottle Opener by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
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Bottle opener by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s.
Original condition.
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Materials
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Salt, Pepper and Sugar Shaker Set by Johnny Mattsson, Sweden, 1950s
By Johnny Mattsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Salt, pepper and sugar Shaker set in solid teak designed by Johnny Mattsson for Upsala Slöjd in the 1950s. Scandinavian modern classic in excellent condit...
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Wilhelm Wagenfeld Bauhaus Salt and Pepper Shakers New in Box 1950s
By Wilhelm Wagenfeld
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Wilhelm Wagenfeld glass and stainless steel salt and Pepper Shakers, 1952. Produced by WMF of Germany.
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Eales 1779 Gold Plate Salt and Pepper Shaker Set
Located in Van Nuys, CA
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Complete Bronze Dinner Service in Box with 78 Pieces in the Manner of Scanline
Located in London, GB
Flatware canteen, a full cutlery set serving six in nickel plated bronze with 78 pieces complete in wooden box in the manner of Sigvard Bernadotte for 'Scanline', produced in Thailand 1970s. Complete unused dinner and breakfast service for six people.
Consisting of; six mains and starter knives, six butter knives, six mains and starter forks, six fish forks, six desert forks...
Category
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H 14.97 in W 19.69 in D 5.91 in
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 Tableware
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Guzzini Salt, Pepper, Oil, Vinegard, Parmesan Green Set in Lucite, 1970s, Italy
By Guzzini
Located in Rome, IT
Table set for pepper, salt, parmesan etc. in green Lucite made by Guzzini, Italy, 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Tableware
Materials
Lucite, Plexiglass
H 7.88 in W 9.85 in D 5.12 in
Vintage Danish Salt and Pepper Sets, 1960s
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish salt and pepper sets, 1960s
Two sets of Danish modern rosewood and stainless steel salt and pepper sets. A large set with salt sha...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Tableware
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Jensen Sterling Salt and Peppers Shakers, Set of 3
By Georg Jensen
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Georg Jensen sterling silver pair of salt and pepper shakers #1135 designed by Henning Koppel. Henning Koppels (1918-1981) modern designs broke new ground for Georg Jensen. His desig...
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Brass Salt and Pepper Shaker
Located in Paonia, CO
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Category
2010s American Modern Walter Bosse Tableware
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...
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Free Shipping
H 4 in W 5 in D 3 in
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 Tableware
Materials
Brass
H 3.15 in W 3.15 in D 3.55 in
Previously Available Items
Walter Bosse Dachshund Dinner Bell, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse dachshund dinner bell, 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Tableware
Materials
Brass
Seahorse Bell by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Seahorse bell by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Tableware
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Dinner Bell Displaying a Cock by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming midcentury table bell displaying a cock. 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 Tableware
Materials
Brass
H 6 in W 3.5 in D 3 in
Midcentury Walter Bosse Donkey Salt and Pepper Shaker, 1950s, Austria
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful Austrian midcentury salt and pepper Shaker, designed by Walter Bosse and made by Hertha Baller in 1950s. The donkey is mad...
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Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Tableware
Materials
Metal
Walter Bosse Donkey Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, Hertha 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...
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Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Tableware
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Metal, Brass
Midcentury Salt, Pepper and Paprika Set, by Walter Bosse Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Midcentury salt, pepper and paprika set, by Walter Bosse, Austria, 1950s.
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Tableware
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Fish Brass Sculpture Toothpick Stand, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A toothpick holder in the shape of a fish. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of solid brass, in good condition with patina.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Tableware
Materials
Brass
H 2.75 in W 1.5 in D 1.25 in
Walter Bosse Donkey Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, Hertha 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 Tableware
Materials
Metal, Brass
Walter Bosse Dining Bell
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse dining bell
Original condition.
Category
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Tableware
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Dinner Bell Displaying a Cock by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Mid-Century table bell displaying a cock. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass, in very good condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Tableware
Materials
Brass
H 6 in W 3.5 in D 3 in
Walter Bosse Mid-Century Horse Head Brass Ashtray, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A large modernist ashtray, displaying the head of a horse from the 1950s. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller in Austria. Made of brass. An attention-grabbing and sol...
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Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Tableware
H 1 in W 5 in D 5.5 in
Walter Bosse Cat Figurine Cork Screw by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian Mid-Century bottle opener displaying a cat. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass, in excellent co...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Tableware
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse tableware for sale on 1stDibs.
Walter Bosse tableware 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 tableware, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original tableware 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 tableware by Herta Baller, Richard Rohac, and Berndorfer Metallwarenfabrik. Prices for Walter Bosse tableware can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $201 and can go as high as $890, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $632.
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