Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
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 Mid-Century Horse Brass Figurine, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Horse brass figurine bosse around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Horse brass figurine bosse around 1950s
Brass blackened
Original condition
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Small Libra Zodiac Sign by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Small Libra Zodiac sign by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Scorpio Zodiac Sign Brass Figurine, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Scorpio zodiac sign brass figurine, 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Thermometer, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Thermometer, circa 1950s
Original condition
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Fish Multiple Pen Holder
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse fish multiple pen holder
the pens are not incudet they are only for the photoshooting.
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Cow Pen Holder by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Rare rooster pen holder by Walter Bosse
(the feather is not for sale she is decoration for the picture)
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Very Small Elephant Figurine by Walter Bosse, Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Very small elephant figurine by walter bosse around 1950s.
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Cat Figurine by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Cat figurine by Walter Bosse
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Candleholder
Bear
, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Decorative Objects
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 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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Pair of Blackened Bronze Small Bear Trays / Candle Holders by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse
Located in San Diego, CA
Fun pair of blackened bronze small bear trinket trays / candle holders by Walter Bosse , circa 1950's. The pair are in very good vintage condition with a great patina and measure 2....
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Austrian Bronze Shaped Bowl by Hertha Ballers for Walter Bosse, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Decorative Objects
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 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 Decorative Objects
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 Decorative Objects
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 Decorative Objects
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 Decorative Objects
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 Decorative Objects
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Pencil Holder
Marked
Around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Decorative Objects
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 Decorative Objects
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Pretzel Holder, Ring Holder
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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.
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
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 Decorative Objects
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 Decorative Objects
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 Decorative Objects
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Dog Pencil Holder
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse dog pencil holder.
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Cow Pen Holder by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Cow pen holder by Walter Bosse
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
2 Bear Penholder by Walter Bosse, Vienna, 1950s (sold and priced per piece)
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
$190 Sale Price / item
36% Off
Hertha Baller Candle Vienna Around, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Hertha Baller candle vienna around 1950s
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse candle holder around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse candle holder around 1950s
Original condition
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Dog Figurine Holding a Thermometer by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Dog Figurine holding a thermometer by Walter Bosse
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
Materials
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
$392 Sale Price
43% Off
Pencile Holder Fish by Hertha Baller, Vienna, around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Pencile holder fish by Hertha Baller, Vienna, around 1950s
Original condition
The pencile is only for the photoshooting (not included).
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Candle Holder
bird
by Walter Bosse, around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Candle holder (bird) by Walter Bosse, around 1950s
Original condition
The candle is only for the photoshoot (not included).
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Candleholder by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Candleholder by Walter Bosse.
Excellent original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Pencil Holder, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse pencil holder, 1950s.
Original condition.
(Pencils not included, it is only for the photoshooting).
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Toothpick Holder Donkey Set, Black Brass Glass, Hertha Baller, 1950
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A toothpick holder set in the form of a donkey designed by Walter Bosse and manufactured by Hertha Baller, Austria, Vienna, in midcentury in 1950s.
The donkey is made of patinated and aged blackened brass. The toothpick holders are made of glass.
This charming piece is an eyecatcher for every kitchen or dining table.
About Walter Bosse and Hertha Baller:
Walter Bosse (November 13, 1904–December 13, 1979) was a Viennese artist, designer, ceramist, potter, metalworker, and craftsman noted for his modernist bronze animal figurines...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
$439 Sale Price
26% Off
Brass Table Bell by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Decorative Objects
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Wall Thermometer, Vienna around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Wall Thermometer, Vienna around 1950s
Original condition
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Holder for 3 pipes by walter bosse vienna around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Rooster Ring Catcher/Ashtray/Catch-all C1950s Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Trensacq, FR
Walter Bosse Rooster Ring Catcher/Ashtray, Vienna, c. 1950s
A rare rooster ring catcher/ashtray in solid blackened brass, designed by Walter Bosse and produced in Austria in the 195...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
$840 Sale Price
30% Off
Candle Holder, Vienna, Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Candle holder vienna around 1950s.
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Decorative Objects
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Walter Bosse decorative objects 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 decorative objects, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original decorative objects 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 decorative objects by Herta Baller, Franz Hagenauer, and Karl Hagenauer. Prices for Walter Bosse decorative objects 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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