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Walter Bosse Furniture

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
Big Brass Cat Bottle Holder by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Furniture

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Key Holder Gulls Motiv circa 1950s by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Key holder Gulls Motiv circa 1950s by Walter Bosse Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pen holder by walter bosse shows a mouse around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Pen holder by walter bosse shows a mouse around 1950s Original condition The pen is not for sale it is only for the photoshooting
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Brass Shoehorn Displaying a Cow, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful brass shoe horn, 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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Holder for 3 pipes by walter bosse vienna around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Candleholder Bear , circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Candleholder 'Bear', circa 1950s Original condition The candle is not included it is only for the photoshooting
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Elephants Brass Key Hanger by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and rare key holder, displaying an elephant family. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller, Austria, in the 1950s. Also suitable as a towel holder or for dish...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Asymmetrical Modernist Black Brass Ashtray by Herta Baller, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Furniture

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Small Elephant by Hertha Baller, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Small elephant by Hertha Baller, circa 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Cow Sculpture Brass Key Hanger Design by Walter Bosse, Hertha Balle Austria 50s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Lucija, SI
Very Special and Rare Key Holder, displaying a funny looking cow. Very large. This is a original piece, not a reproduction. Designed by Walter Bosse, manufactured by Hertha Baller...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Cow Figurine Holding a Thermometer by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Cow figurine holding a thermometer by Walter Bosse Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Wall Thermometer, Vienna around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Wall Thermometer, Vienna around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Fish Mid-Century Brass Bowl Ashtray Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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 Furniture

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Very Small Elephant Figurine by Walter Bosse, Around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Very small elephant figurine by walter bosse around 1950s. Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Mid-Century Cartwheel Brass Key Hanger, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A wall-mounted Mid-Century key holder / key board, designed in the shape of a cartwheel or wagon wheel. This piece was designed by Walter Bosse and crafted b...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Austrian Bronze Shaped Bowl by Hertha Ballers for Walter Bosse, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Delft, NL
Austrian Bronze Shaped Bowl by Hertha Ballers for Walter Bosse, 1950s A bronze bowl signed by Hertha Ballers in small organic shaped form. Designed by Walter Bosse 1950s, Austria Th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass, Nickel

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 Furniture

Materials

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).
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

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 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 Furniture

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Mermaid and Fish Wall Sculpture by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely Mid-Century wall-mounted brass sculpture, displaying a mermaid and a fish on a frame, made of black-finished brass. Designed by Walter Bosse, manufactured in the 1950s by He...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Paragraph Lawyer Brass Sculpture, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Wall Decoration "Horses" by Hertha Baller Vienna Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Wall decoration "horses" by hertha baller vienna around 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Shoehorn Shows a Cat, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse shoehorn shows a cat, circa 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

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.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Rare Walter Bosse Hooks on Teak Wood
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Rare Walter Bosse hooks on teak wood. Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

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.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Hertha Baller Candle Vienna Around, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Hertha Baller candle vienna around 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Pretzel Holder, Ring Holder
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Austrian brass cat figurine, usually made to be used as a pretzel holder, a decorative piece, very suitable as a ring holder.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Thermometer, 1950s for Table Vienna around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Thermometer, 1950s for table vienna around 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Dog Pencil Holder
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse dog pencil holder. Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

2 Bear Penholder by Walter Bosse, Vienna, 1950s (sold and priced per piece)
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
2 Bear penholder made of blackened brass by Walter Bosse, Vienna, 1950s.  Original condition. The pen is not for sale it is only for the photoshooting (sold and priced per piece)
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Umbrella Stand with Fish, Walter Bosse, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Umbrella stand fish, brass blackened metal, Walter Bosse, Austria, 1950s.  
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Metal, 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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Candle Holder Bear
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse candle holder (bear) (The selling is without the candle it is only decoration for the photo shooting) Original condition.  
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Napkin or Letter Holder by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Napkin or letter holder by Walter Bosse Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Cow Pen Holder by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Cow pen holder by Walter Bosse Original condition.  
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Candleholder by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Candleholder by Walter Bosse. Excellent original condition.  
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Shoehorn, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Shoehorn, circa 1950s polished and stove enamelled.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Umbrella Stand Fish, Brass Blackened Metal, Walter Bosse, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A beautiful umbrella stand by Walter Bosse, Vienna, manufactured in midcentury in circa 1950. It is made of a black painted metal base and a polish...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Shoehorn Squirrel Blackened Brass by Walter Bosse, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A nice shoehorn made of blackened and partly polished brass by Walter Bosse, Austria, 1950s. The handle is in the form of a squirrel. That tail can be used as hook. Very nice patina ...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Cat Figurine Pretzel Holder, Ring Holder by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass figurine blackened pretzel holder, ring holder. Designed in the 1950s by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Austria. Excellent original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Cat Ring Holder for Hertha Baller Blackened Aluminium, 1950 s
By Walter Bosse
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical rare Walter Bosse cat ring holder circa 1950's nicely patinated, in aluminium with black enameled finish ,original finish some scratches and ...
Category

Late 20th Century German Art Deco Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Metal

Napkin or Letter Holder by Walter Bosse around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Napkin or Letter Holder by Walter Bosse around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Brass key hanger, Elephant and Mouse, Herta Baller, Austria 1950 s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in BELFORT, FR
Rare mid-century key hanger by Walter Bosse, displaying an elephant and a mouse. This item is made of brass and is in very good condition. It was made by Herta Baller in Austria in t...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Hedgehog Stackable Ashtray Set for Bertha Baller, 1955
By Walter Bosse
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of six stackable ashtrays in the shape of a hedgehog designed in 1955 by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Austria. Polished and patinated brass.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Cat Figurine with Shovel and Rake by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass figurine blackened with a shovel and rake. Designed in the 1950s by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller Austria. Excellent original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

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 Furniture

Rare Umbrella Stand by Walter Bosse the Capricorn
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Steel basket with lead casting drip tray black painted with a brass capricorn outside the basket, designed by Walter Bosse in the 1950s for Hertha Baller.   
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel

Walter Bosse Wall Thermometer, Vienna around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Wall Thermometer, Vienna around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Walter Bosse furniture 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 furniture, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture 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 furniture by Herta Baller, Franz Hagenauer, and Karl Hagenauer. Prices for Walter Bosse furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $111 and can go as high as $3,400, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $360.

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