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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
Cat Pencil Holder by Walter Bosse around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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

Walter Bosse Set of 6 Hedgehog Sculptures for Hertha Baller, Ashtray, c. 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Transform your space with a touch of mid-century elegance! This 6-Piece patinated and partially polished brass or bronze stacking hedgehog ashtray set is a true vintage gem designed ...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

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 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 Cow Zoo Mid-Century Brass Wall Hook, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely Austrian modernist animal coat wall hook, displaying a cow. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of black finished and par...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

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

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Shoehorn Shows a Cat by Walter Bosse Around, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Shoehorn Shows a cat by Walter Bosse around 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

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 carrying two wooden barrels. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. The don...
Category

Mid-20th Century Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Bosse Baller Cat Letter Opener Bronze Vienna Austria, 1950s Mid-Century Modern
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Miniature Owl Figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic mid-century 1950s Vienna bronze figurine by Walter Bosse. This gorgeous small miniature creature with big personality designed by Walter Bosse, an expert craftsman from the golden age of Vienna bronzes is a real beauty. He designed his “black/gold” series of bronze figurines to make “as many people as possible happy.” Excellent example of a Walter Bosse brass figurine...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Bosse Baller Cat Bronze Corkscrew Vienna Austria, 1950s Mid-Century Modern
By Walter Bosse
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 Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Small Elephant Figurine by Walter Bosse Vienna Around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Small Elephant Figurine by Walter Bosse Vienna Around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Owls Bottle Stopper by Walter Bosse around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Owls Bottle Stopper by Walter Bosse around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Bottle Opener Shows a Elephant Vienna Around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Bear Bottle Stopper by Walter Bosse around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Bear Bottle Stopper by Walter Bosse around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Miniature Fish Figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic midcentury 1950s Vienna bronze figurine by Walter Bosse. This gorgeous small miniature creature with big personality designed by Walter Bosse, an expert craftsman from the golden age of Vienna bronzes is a real beauty. He designed his “black/gold” series of bronze figurines to make “as many people as possible happy.” Excellent example of a Walter Bosse brass figurine...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Brass

Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Pen Holder Stand, Baller Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Furniture

Materials

Brass, 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 Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Pen Holder Stand, 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 Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Beautiful Teddy Bear in Black Golden Line from the Famous Designer Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse
Located in ARGENTEUIL, FR
Beautiful and charming little teddy bear in black golden line from the famous designer designer Walter Bosse (1904 - 1979) Beautiful original patina from the mid-20th century. H...
Category

1940s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Walter Bosse Figurine Shows the Neptune Sea God, circa 1950s 'Marked on Bottom'
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Figurine Shows the Neptune Sea God, circa 1950s 'marked on bottom' 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

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 Furniture

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Seahorse Figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Seahorse figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s. Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Cute Cow Figurine with Thermometer Walter Bosse, Vienna Austria 1960s MidCentury
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s Austrian figurine, designed by Walter Bosse. Nice addition to your room, on your desk top or just for your collection of Austrian midcentury items. Charming, big and solid this cow figurine...
Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Owl Figurine by Walter Bosse Around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Owl figurine by walter bosse around 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Blackened Brass Bear Candleholder/Figurine by Walter Bosse and Herta Baller
By Walter Bosse
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Viennese bear figurine designed by Walter Bosse and Herta Baller as part of “Black Golden Line" (Austria, ca. 1950). Composed of solid brass patinated in a black finish,...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Swallow Birds Key Holder Around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter bosse swallow birds key holder around 1950s The key is not included ( only for the photoshooting ).
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Three Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks of a Lion Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Three Walter Bosse brass wall hooks of a Lion Austria, 1950s. 3 are available, priced and sold per piece. Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter bosse swallow birds key holder around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter bosse swallow birds key holder around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Wall Decoration "Horses" by Hertha Baller Vienna Around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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

Miniature Cat Figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic mid-century 1950s Vienna bronze figurine by Walter Bosse. Found at an estate sale in Vienna, Austria.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pipe Holder in Patinated Bronze, Green, Gold Color by Walter Bosse, Usa, 1960
By Walter Bosse
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
It is a pipe holder, in patinated bronze in green and gold color. This pipe holder was made in USA in the 1960s by Walter Bosse It is in good condition, and is easily placed on a pie...
Category

1960s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Cat Figurine by Walter Bosse, Vienna, Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Cat figurine by Walter Bosse, Vienna, around 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Small Libra Zodiac Sign by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Small Libra Zodiac sign by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Small Walter Bosse Cat Figurine Around 1950s, 'Marked'
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Small Walter bosse cat figurine around 1950s Brass, Nickel - plated Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Walter Bosse Cat Figurine with Thermometer, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian desk thermometer, consisting of a lovely cat figurine and a lantern-shaped thermometer. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in th...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

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

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Small Walter Bosse Penguin Figurine Vienna around 1950s ' Marked '
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse penguin figurine vienna around 1950s ( Marked ) Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Rocking Horse by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Rocking horse by Walter Bosse 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 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

Small Walter Bosse Cat Figurine, Vienna, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Small Walter Bosse cat figurine, Vienna, circa 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Rare Walter Bosse Brass Blackened "Lying Cat" from the 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare Walter Bosse Brass Blackened "Lying Cat" From The 1950s, can be used as a holder (candle)
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Lion Wall Hook by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass hook "lion" by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Vienna from the 1950s. Used but in very good vintage condition. Two pieces available.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Modern Vintage Black Metal Brass Umbrella Stand Walter Bosse Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage umbrella stand or paper basket from metal and brass by Walter Bosse 1950s Austria. Stunning fish like brass detail performs the umbrella stand for a charming basket for many umbrellas. Through a cast iron tray...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Miniature Elephant Figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic mid-century 1950s Vienna bronze figurine by Walter Bosse. Marked Austria. Found at an estate sale in Vienna, Austria.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Elephant Figurine with Thermometer Walter Bosse, Vienna Austria 1960s Midcentury
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s Austrian figurine, designed by Walter Bosse. Nice addition to your room, on your desk top or just for your collection of Austrian midcentury items. Charming, big ...
Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Small Walter Bosse Bear Figurine, Vienna, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Small Walter Bosse bear figurine, Vienna, circa 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Elephant Figurine with Thermometer Walter Bosse, Vienna Austria 1960s Midcentury
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s Austrian figurine, designed by Walter Bosse. Nice addition to your room, on your desk top or just for your collection of Austrian midcentury items. Charming, big ...
Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Two Owls Bottle Stopper by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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

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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