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Walter Bosse Sculptures

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

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Brass Walter Bosse Hedgehog Sculpture Stacking Ashtrays 1950s Austrian
By Walter Bosse
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Ashtray in painted metal, with a green and gold patina. The artist is Walter bosse, and this model is the luxury one. Brass Walter Bosse Hedgehog Sc...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Hedgehog by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Hedgehog by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Austrian Art Deco Art Pottery Cupid Figure
By Walter Bosse
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and delightful Art Deco Austrian art pottery figure of a cupid by renowned Viennese artist, designer, ceramist, potter and metalworker Walter Bosse (Austrian, 1904-1979) and b...
Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Walter Bosse Candleholder 'cat' 'Marked'
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse candleholder (cat) (Marked) (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 Sculptures

Materials

Brass

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 Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Walter Bosse Elephant Figurine with Thermometer, Baller Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Elephant Figurine with Thermometer, Baller Austria, 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

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 Sculptures

Materials

Brass

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

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

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Bear Figurine
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse bear figurine Original condition.  
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Set of 6 Hedgehog Sculptures for Hertha Baller, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Walter Bosse Set of 6 hedgehog sculptures for Hertha Baller, circa 1950s Mid-century Walter Bosse hedgehog stackable ashtray made in Austria. This vintage ashtray includes all six...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Walter Bosse Sculptures

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 Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Cow Candleholder, Hertha Baller, Blackened Brass, 1960
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A candleholder in the form of a cow by Walter Bosse and manufactured by Hertha Baller, Austria, Vienna, in midcentury, circa 1960 (late 1950s or early 1960s). The candleholder is made of blackened and polished brass. It can be used for small ball shaped candles. This piece is an eyecatchers in every room. 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...
Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

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 Sculptures

Materials

Brass

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

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Monkey Salt and Pepper Shakers Set, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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 Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Crocodile Walter Bosse figurines brass patinated new Vienna Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
This crocodile figurine was produced in Austria and is signed at the bottom: Bosse Austria. The piece comes together with a fabric pouch, including a certificate, too. Model N° BO 6...
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

ELEPHANT Walter Bosse figurines brass patinated new Vienna Austria TALISMAN
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
This elephant was produced in Austria and is signed at the bottom: Bosse Austria. The piece comes together with a fabric pouch, including a certificate, too. Each figure is special i...
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Rocking Horse by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Rocking horse by Walter Bosse Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

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

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Dachshund Pen Holder
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse dachshund pen holder (the feather is not for sale she is decoration for the picture) Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Small elephant by Walter bosse around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Small elephant by Walter bosse around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Two Walter Bosse Candleholders
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Two Walter Bosse candleholders Original condition We not selling the candle she is only decoration.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Small rabbit figurine by walter bosse vienna around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Small rabbit figurine by walter bosse vienna around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

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

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse brass hedgehog figurine pretzel holder, ring holder around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse brass hedgehog figurine pretzel holder, ring holder around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

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 Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Jewelry Ring Holder, 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 Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Walter Bosse Cat Figurine with Thermometer, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
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 Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Donkey Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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 Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Brass

PENGUIN Walter Bosse figurines brass patinated new Vienna Austria TALISMAN
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
This penguin baby was produced in Austria and is signed at the bottom: Bosse Austria. The piece comes together with a fabric pouch, including a certificate, too. Each figure is speci...
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

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

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

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 Sculptures

Materials

Brass

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 Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

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

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

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

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Small Playing seal figurine by walter bosse around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Small Playing seal figurine by walter bosse around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Cat Figurine Holding a Thermometer by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Cat Figurine Holding a Thermometer by Walter Bosse Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

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 Sculptures

Materials

Brass

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

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

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 Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Small bear figurine by walter bosse vienna around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Small bear figurine by walter bosse vienna around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Midcentury Brass Horse Figurine, Herta 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 good condition with charming patina. We offer more Walter Bosse br...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

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

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

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 Sculptures

Materials

Bronze, Brass

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 Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Brass Poodle Figurine, Lucky Charm, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming poodle figurine, made of brass designed by Walter Bosse, executed in the 1950s by Hertha Baller, Austria. In excellent condition.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Donkey Brass Figurine Pen Holder, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian midcentury pen or pencil holder, displaying a donkey. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse executed by Herta Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass in excel...
Category

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

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 Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Candleholder Walter Bosse Cow, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Candleholder Walter Bosse cow Good original condition. (The candle is only for decoration for the photo shooting not for sell).
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

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

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Brass Cat Figurine Pretzel Holder, Ring Holder
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse brass cat figurine pretzel holder, ring holder Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

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 Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Small Penguin by Walter Bosse, Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Small penguin by Walter bosse, around 1950s Marked Austria on Bottom Original condition.  
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Sculptures

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 Sculptures

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 Sculptures

Materials

Metal

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 five elephants in different sizes. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller, Austria, in the 1950s. Also suitable as a towel holder or for dish towels...
Category

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

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 Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Walter Bosse sculptures 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 sculptures, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original sculptures 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 sculptures by Herta Baller, Richard Rohac, and Leopold Anzengruber. Prices for Walter Bosse sculptures 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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