Walter Bosse bear thermometer holder for wall mounting vienna around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Walter Bosse bear thermometer holder for wall mounting vienna around 1950s Original condition
Brass
$215Sale Price|26% Off
Walter Bosse Candleholder 'Bear'
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Walter Bosse candleholder (bear) (The selling is without the candle it is only decoration for the photo shooting) Original condition.
Brass
$215Sale Price|26% Off
Walter Bosse Candle Holder 'Bear'
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Walter Bosse candle holder (bear) (The selling is without the candle it is only decoration for the photo shooting) Original condition.
Brass
Beautiful Walter Bosse Austrian Bronze Bear Bottle Opener 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Early 1950s - 1960s Austrian Walter Bosse Figurine An elegant early 1950s - 1960s figurine, crafted in Austria and exemplary of mid-century Austrian bronze design. The piece display...
Bronze
Walter Bosse Candleholder 'Bear', circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Walter Bosse Candleholder 'Bear', circa 1950s Original condition The candle is not included it is only for the photoshooting
Brass
Walter Bosse Candleholder 'Bear', circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Walter Bosse candleholder (bear), circa 1950s (The selling is without the candle it is only decoration for the photo shooting) Original condition.
Brass
$370 / item
Midcentury Wall Hook "Bear" by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare brass ebonized wall hook "bear". Designed by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Vienna from the 1950s.
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.
Bronze
Set of 4 Figure Horse Angel Bear by Walter Bosse, Vienna Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Set of four Early 1950s - 1960s Austrian Walter Bosse Figurines An elegant early 1950s lot of figurines, crafted in Austria and exemplary of mid-century Austrian bronze design. The ...
Bronze
$181Sale Price|20% Off
Beautiful Teddy Bear in Black Golden Line from the Famous Designer Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse
Located in Argenteuil, IDF
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.
Bronze
$181Sale Price / item|36% Off
2 Bear Penholder by Walter Bosse, Vienna, 1950s (sold and priced per piece)
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
2 Bear penholder made of blackened brass by Walter Bosse, Vienna, 1950s.
Brass
Small bear figurine by walter bosse vienna around 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
Small bear figurine by walter bosse vienna around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Bear corkscrew by Walter Bosse, designed for Herta Baller, Vienna, 1960
Located in Wien, AT
Bear corkscrew by Walter Bosse, designed for Herta Baller, Vienna, 1950, in good original condition
Brass
Pair of Art Deco Bear Ceramic Bookends, Gmundner Keramik, Austria, 1930s
By Walter Bosse, Wiener Werkstätte, Gmundner Keramik, Leopold Anzengruber, Michael Powolny
Located in Malmö, SE
A pair of beautiful black and white ceramic book ends with standing bears. Made by Gmundner Keramik in Austria, 1930s. Excellent original condition. No chips or cracks. Gmundner K...
Ceramic
Two Karlsruhe Majolika Ceramic Bears by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse
Located in Frisco, TX
Two lovely ceramic bears designed by Walter Bosse for Karlsruhe Majolika.
Ceramic
Two Karlsruhe Majolica Egg Cup Bears by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse
Located in Frisco, TX
Two ceramic egg cups in the shape of cute little bears. Designed by Walter Bosse of Austria who was employed by Karlsruhe Majolika from 1953 onward.
Ceramic
Walter Bosse Huge Coat Hooks
By Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
clothes hooks in form of a bear by Walter Bosse. Two screws to fix it to the wall.
Brass
Sold
H 1.5 in W 2 in D 0.5 in
Walter Bosse Bear with Heart Brass Figurine, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely brass figurine, displaying a little bear with a heart in his hand. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed in the 1950s by Hertha Baller, Austria.
Brass
Bear Figurine Sculpture in Brass by Walter Bosse, 1950's
By Walter Bosse
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Bear Figurine Sculpture / coat hanger in Brass by Walter Bosse, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Brass Style: Mid century, Europe Produced by Hertha Baller in Austria Dimens...
Brass
Rare Bear Wall Hook by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass hook "bear" by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Vienna from the 1950s.
Brass
Walter Bosse Sitting Bear Figurine, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming brass sculpture from the 1950s, displaying a sitting bear. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s.
Brass
Two Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks Displaying a Bear, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Up to two Austrian modernist brass wall coat hooks, displaying a bear. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s.
Brass
Sold
H 6.7 in Dm 3.55 in
Two Walter Bosse Rabbit and Bear Mid-Century Wall Hooks, Brass, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Two Walter Bosse rabbit and bear Mid-Century wall hooks, brass, Austria, 1950s.
Brass
Sold
H 0.79 in Dm 0.79 in
Walter Bosse, for Herta Baller, "Black Gold Line" Teddy Bear in Bronze, 1950s
Located in København, Copenhagen
"Black gold line" teddy bear in bronze, 1950s. Walter Bosse was affiliated with Wiener Werkstätte with Josef Hoffmann as his mentor.
Bronze
Sold
H 0.79 in Dm 0.79 in
Walter Bosse, for Herta Baller, "Black Gold Line" Teddy Bear in Bronze, 1950s
Located in København, Copenhagen
"Black gold line" teddy bear in bronze, 1950s. Walter Bosse was affiliated with Wiener Werkstätte with Josef Hoffmann as his mentor.
Bronze
Walter Bosse Bear Figurine
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
Walter Bosse bear figurine Original condition.
Brass
Small Walter Bosse Bear Figurine Around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
Small Walter Bosse bear figurine around 1950s Original condition.
Brass
Small Walter Bosse Bear Figurine, Vienna, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
Small Walter Bosse bear figurine, Vienna, circa 1950s Original condition.
Brass
Sold
H 1.38 in W 2.96 in D 1.58 in
Two Walter Bosse Bear Candleholders, Hertha Baller, Blackened Brass, 1960
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
One of two candleholders in the form of a bear by Walter Bosse and manufactured by Hertha Baller, Austria, Vienna, in midcentury, circa 1960 (late 1950s or early 1960s).
Brass
Two Walter Bosse Bear Figurines, Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
Two charming brass bear sculptures from the 1950s, by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s.
Brass
Sold
H 7 in W 4 in D 3 in
3 Walter Bosse Bear Dwarf Cow Zoo Brass Wall Hooks, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Three lovely Austrian modernist animal coat wall hooks, displaying a cow, a dwarf and a bear. A humorous and funny design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 19...
Brass
Walter Bosse Brass Bear Letter Opener
By Walter Bosse
Located in Delft, NL
Walter Bosse brass bear letter opener, 1950s Walter Bosse (1904-1979) The measurements are: 16.5 cm high, 3.3 cm wide and the dept is 2 cm.
Brass
Bear by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
Bear by Walter Bosse made of brass, designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller, Austria, in the 1950s.
Sold
H 1.63 in W 1.63 in D 0.5 in
Cute Bronze Bear Couple Miniature Figurine, Walter Bosse Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Early 1950s Austrian Walter Bosse Figurine An cute elegant early 1950s Bosse miniature figurine, crafted in Austria and exemplary of mid-century Austrian bronze design. The piece di...
Bronze
Two Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks of a Bear, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Den Haag, NL
Two Walter Bosse brass wall hooks of a bear, Austria 1950s.
Brass
Double Candles Holder Bear by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Double candles holder bear by Walter Bosse Original condition.
Brass
Rare Bear Wall Hook by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass hook "bear" by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Vienna from the 1950s.
Brass
Sold
H 1 in W 2.63 in D 1.5 in
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).
Brass
Sold
H 7 in W 4.5 in D 5 in
Austrian Ceramic Figurine of a Bear Drummer by Walter Bosse, Austria 1920s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely bear figurine, made of hand-glazed pottery, designed by Walter Bosse.
Ceramic, Pottery
Three Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks, Dog, Bear and Monkey, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A set of 3 Austrian modernist brass wall coat hooks, displaying a dog, a bear and a monkey. A very humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s.
Brass
Bear Bottle Stopper by Walter Bosse around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Bear Bottle Stopper by Walter Bosse around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Small Bear Figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Small bear figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s Original condition.
Brass
Small bear figurine by walter bosse vienna around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Small bear figurine by walter bosse vienna around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Bottle Opener Shows a Bear Figurine by Walter Bosse, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Bottle opener shows a bear figurine by Walter Bosse, 1950s. Original condition.
Brass
Sold
H 7.09 in W 3.55 in D 3.94 in
Six Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks of Cat, Cow, Bear, Lion, Dog, Monkey
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Six Walter Bosse Brass Wall Hooks of Cat, Cow,Bear, Lion, Dog, Monkey
Brass
Sold
H 11.82 in W 7.49 in D 5.52 in
Rare walter bosse for hertha baller bear wall lamp holding a lantern vienna 1950
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Rare walter bosse for hertha baller bear wall lamp holding a lantern vienna 1950s Very good original condition
Brass
Sold
H 7 in W 3.5 in D 4 in
Walter Bosse 7 Zoo Brass Wall Hooks, Lion, Cow, Cat, Monkey, Dog, Bear & Rabbit
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
different lovely Austrian modernist animal zoo coat wall hooks, displaying a lion, a cow, a cat, a monkey, a dog, a bear and a rabbit . A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by...
Brass
Leopold Anzengruber Baby Polar Bear Ceramic Sculpture, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Leopold Anzengruber
Located in Vienna, AT
In excellent condition. In the style of Walter Bosse.
Ceramic
Brass Berlin Bear Figurine in the Style of Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse
Located in Pau, FR
A very charming little brass figurine showing the symbol of Berlin, the Berlin Baer, in the style of the Walter Bosse animal designs in brass, circa 1960s.
Brass
Two Walter Bosse Candleholders
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, Au
Two Walter Bosse candleholders Original condition We not selling the candle she is only decoration.
Brass
$110
H 5.75 in W 1.38 in D 0.38 in
Vintage Bronze Hand Bottle Opener Mid-Century Modern Metal Breweriana Barware
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s bottle opener. Nice addition to your room or just for use at your bar or bar cart. Found at an estate sale in Vienna, Austria.
Bronze
Midcentury Wall Hook "Lion" by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass ebonized wall hook "lion". Designed by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Vienna from the 1950s. Used but in very good vintage condition.
Brass
Carl Aubock Polished Brass Hand Bottle Opener #4224
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock polished brass hand bottle opener #4224. This whimsical 1950's hand bottle opener by Carl Aubock is a wonderful example of the marriage of form and functionality that has...
Brass
$120
H 5.25 in W 1.38 in D 0.5 in
Vintage Bronze Hand Bottle Opener Mid-Century Modern Metal Breweriana Barware
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s bottle opener. Nice addition to your room or just for use at your bar or bar cart. Found at an estate sale in Vienna, Austria.
Bronze
Bottle opener around 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
Bottle opener around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Midcentury Wall Hook "Cat" by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass ebonized wall hook "cat". Designed by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Vienna from the 1950s. Used but in very good vintage condition.
Brass
Midcentury Wall Hook "Rabbit" by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
rare brass ebonized wall hook "rabbit". Designed by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller, Vienna from the 1950s. Used but in very good vintage condition.
Brass
$330
H 7 in W 3.5 in D 4 in
Walter Bosse Cat Zoo Brass Animal Wall Hook by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely Austrian modernist animal zoo coat wall hook, displaying a cat, our favourite hook. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller, Vienna / Austria in the 19...
Brass
Vintage Bronze or Brass Lady Bottle Opener Metal Breweriana Barware
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s bottle opener. Nice addition to your room or just for use at your bar or bar cart. Found at an estate sale in Vienna, Austria.
Bronze, Brass
$252Sale Price|40% Off
H 6 in W 5 in D 2.5 in
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...
Brass
$252Sale Price|40% Off
H 7 in W 4 in D 2.5 in
Walter Bosse Cow Figurine Table Thermometer by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming sculptural Austrian midcentury desk thermometer, displaying a cow with a lantern-shaped thermometer. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria i...
Brass
$192Sale Price|40% Off
H 3 in W 3 in D 3.5 in
Walter Bosse Rabbit Brass Cork Screw Bottle Opener, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
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 ...
Brass
$174Sale Price|40% Off
H 3.5 in W 3 in D 3 in
Walter Bosse Dwarf 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 dwarf. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of black-finished brass, ...
Brass
$210
H 5.75 in W 2 in D 0.88 in
Vintage Brass Aubock Auboeck Bottle Opener Mid-Century Modern Breweriana Barware
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s mid century modern bottle opener. Made by Carl Auböck, Vienna, Austria. Nice addition to your room or just for use at your bar or bar cart. Found at an estate sal...
Brass
Walter Bosse Cat Figurine with Thermometer, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Walter Bosse cat figurine with thermometer, 1950s Austrian desk thermometer, cat figurine and a lantern-shaped thermometer. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Aust...
Brass
$2,397 / item
H 31.5 in W 39.38 in D 18.51 in
"Jorge" Bar Cart Modernist Style in Color Painted Steel and wood natural
By Alessandra Delgado
Located in Alto da Lapa, SP
True to her enthusiasm for the Modernist Movement Alessandra Delgado was inspired by Jorge Zalszupin timeless architectonic view to create the bar cart "Jorge". Elegant and versatil...
Steel
ADA Aperture - Alabaster 10"
By Allied Maker
Located in Glen Cove, NY
A scaled version of our Aperture Sconce with an Alabaster diffuser. Under 4” in depth to meet standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act for commercial walkways.
Brass
$13,000
H 28.25 in W 48 in D 14.25 in
Vintage Stereo Phonograph/AM FM Tuner Console, Model: Brionvega rr126 Radiogram
By Brionvega, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Iconic design by the Castiglioni Studio for Brionvega first introduced in 1966. This later example produced circa 1970. This stereo phonograph/AM FM receiver console is fully functio...
Metal
$750
H 20.5 in W 36.75 in D 1.5 in
Exciting Gino Hollander Style Abstract Oil Painting Mid-Century Modern
By Gino Hollander
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Exciting Gino Hollander style abstract oil painting. This painting is not signed but we believe it to be by the artist.
Paint
$5,000 / set
H 13 in W 24 in D 42 in
Charcoal Blocks, Sculptural, Geometric, Shou Sugi Ban Coffee or Side Tables
By Yvonne Mouser
Located in Oakland, CA
The Charcoal Blocks are a grouping of five upright and angled tables. Each of the individual pieces sits with a tilted stance and together they can be organized into a row, grouped l...
Wood, Fir, Reclaimed Wood
$1,995Sale Price|33% Off
H 18 in W 18 in D 18 in
1960s Poul Cadovius Largest Aluminium Lighted Planter RS 50 Pendant , Denmark
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
1960s Poul Cadovius large RS 50 brushed and lacquered aluminium lighted planter pendant . Contain one E26/27 ceramic socket rated at 40 watt. Actual set up is a plug in with 15...
Aluminum
19th Century French Folding Library Step Ladder in Walnut
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant French folding ladder, crafted in walnut and dating from the late 19th century, is a rare piece that combines practicality with refined craftsmanship. Featuring six step...
Walnut
$550
H 3.63 in W 5.38 in D 1.38 in
ROYAL DOULTON - HN1037 - Bone China Cocker Spaniel Figurine - UK - Circa 1931-68
By Thomas Frederick Daws, Royal Doulton
Located in Chatham, ON
ROYAL DOULTON (Manufacturer) - FREDERICK THOMAS DAWS (British Designer / Artist 1878-1956) - HN1037 (Model Number) - Vintage bone china figure of a cocker spaniel designed by the wel...
Ceramic
$2,250
H 47 in W 16 in D 8 in
English Boat Form Etagere Black Lacquer Fish Decoupage Collection Bookshelf
Located in Choudrant, LA
English Boat Form Etagere Black Lacquer Fish Decoupage Collection Bookshelf. Direct from England, a striking boat-form etagere (bookcase) featuring gilt fish decoupage on a deep bla...
Hardwood
$7,400
H 76.78 in W 1.19 in D 64.97 in
Room Divider / Paravent, Textile & Hand-Linked Chainmail, Post-Modern
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
“Gonfalon Paravent is a spatial divider that oscillates between architecture and textile, solidity and fluidity. First conceived in 2020 and revisited in a second edition in 2026, th...
Metal, Chrome
$3,795
H 94 in W 38 in D 29 in
1970s Preway Freestanding Fireplace, Rare Avocado Porcelain Enamel, Wood/Gas
By Preway
Located in Madison, WI
Fireplace, freestanding, mid-century by Preway Mfg. Designed to burn wood or gas, inside your home or out. Original gloss porcelain enameled paint. Avocado color is rare. Includes sp...
Enamel, Steel, Cut Steel
$2,728
H 37.41 in W 47.25 in D 9.85 in
Monumental Sergio Bustamante 'Sol Eclipse' Papier Mâché Wall Sculpture, 1997
By Sergio Bustamante
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Monumental wall-mounted sculpture executed in painted papier-mâché by Mexican artist Sergio Bustamante (b. 1949). Titled "Sol Eclipse" (Solar Eclipse), this large-scale composition f...
Paper
The Muppet Movie 1982 Polish B1 Film Poster, Waldemar Swierzy
Located in Bath, Somerset
The original first-year-of-release Polish film poster for The Muppet Movie is pure joy with a seriously arty edge. Designed by Waldemar Swierzy, it dials up the chaos, colour and cha...
Paper
Pair of Maison Arlus Sconces
By Arlus
Located in Miami, FL
Superb pair of two lights Maison Arlus sconces, perpex shades Two lights, 65 watts max per light US rewired and in working condition Backplate: 1.1/2 inches W, 4inches H Glass...
Steel
Vintage Whimsical Figural Rattan Wicker Bear Basket Hamper With Lid
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer this charming sculptural wicker bear storage basket, circa late 20th century, beautifully handwoven in warm honey-toned rattan. Designed in the form of a...
Wicker, Rattan
Industrial Electric Black Fan Dutch Design, 1930s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Electric fan manufacture E.M.I. Utrecht Holland. Black and brass robust industrial fan from the 1930s.E.M.I. Utrecht Holland. The fan has a cast iron base, enameled and the blades ...
Brass, Iron
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.