Ceramic advertising figure by W. Bosse for the Karlsruhe Majolika. 1940 - 1950
About the Item
- Creator:Walter Bosse (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 10.63 in (27 cm)Width: 4.34 in (11 cm)Depth: 6.7 in (17 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950 - 1959
- Condition:Great condition.
- Seller Location:CADALSO, ES
- Reference Number:
Walter Bosse
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: CADALSO, Spain
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Ceramic vase by F. Glatzle for the Karlsruhe Majolika. 1958By Fridegart GlatzleLocated in CADALSO, ESPerfect condition.Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Ceramic rooster by Lilli - Hummel König for the Karlsruher Majolika. 1956By HummelLocated in CADALSO, ESHand Painted and designed by Lilli Hummel König. In this perfect condition rare to find. Item Number: 6186 Year: 1956Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Ceramic wall tiles of the Karlsruher Majolika by Feisst 1958By Karl-Heinz FeisstLocated in CADALSO, ESGreat conditionCategory
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Ceramic wall mask from Goldscheider. 1940 - 1950By Goldscheider Manufactory of ViennaLocated in CADALSO, ESRare to find in this condition.Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Ceramic vase by F. Glatzle for the Karlsruher Majolika. 1949By Fridegart GlatzleLocated in CADALSO, ESGreat conditionCategory
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Ceramic centerpiece from the Karlsruher Majolika. 1950 - 1960Located in CADALSO, ESPerfect conditionCategory
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
MaterialsCeramic
- Ceramic figure The Blacksmith by Michael AndersenBy Michael Andersen & SonLocated in Vojens, 83the Blacksmith a rare ceramic figure by Michael Andersen, Michael Andersen has delivered sublime Danish design and ceramics since 1890 with dedicated collectors all over the world f...Category
Early 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Scandinavian Modern Ceramic Bowl by Aune Siimes for Arabia, 1940s/1950sBy ArabiaLocated in Helsinki, FIScandinavian modern ceramic bulls eye bowl by Aune Siimes for Arabia in the 1940s/1950s. Beautiful piece of mid-century modern art ceramics. Signed at the ...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Ceramics
MaterialsClay, Ceramic
- Vintage Decorative Ceramic Kettle Assbrock Keramik Majolika, GermanyLocated in Bastogne, BEGerman ceramic kettle from the famous manufacturer Assbrock Keramik Majolika handmade with a pattern of multi-colored flowers and leaves, painted in pin...Category
Vintage 1960s German Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- 1950s Floor Lamp with Blue Ceramic FigureLocated in Paris, FRWrought and gilded iron floor lamp, the stem decorated with a blue ceramic figure and three blue and green small bowls. It is resting on three scrolled feet. circa 1950. Dimensi...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsIron, Wrought Iron
- "Nude on Horseback, " Art Deco Sculpture by Else Bach for KarlsruheBy Else BachLocated in Philadelphia, PAThe large and rare Majolica group consisting of a nude male figure riding a horse was sculpted by Else Bach for the famous Karlsruhe ceramic works in the 1920s-1930s. Bach is best kn...Category
Vintage 1920s German Art Deco Animal Sculptures
MaterialsCeramic
- Karlsruher Majolika Ceramic Basket Art Nouveau Wilhelm Süs Model 1255Located in Mannheim, DECeramic bowl with handle, designed by Wilhelm Süs for Karlsruher Majolika around 1910 to 1915. Light beige glaze, handle and rim decorated with forget me not pattern in relief techni...Category
Antique Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic