Designer: Walter Bosse (1904 – 1979)

Item: Monkey Pipe Rests

Manufactured by: Walter Bosse and Herta Baller (1921 - 1957)

Country of origin: Austria

Year made: Late 1940s or early 1950s

Materials: Patinated and polished brass

Dimensions: Standing monkey is 4” x 4” x 5”, sitting monkey is 2 ½” x 5 ½” x 4”

Condition: Excellent

References: Schreyer-Hartmann, Cherica, Walter Bosse: Leben, Kunst und Handwerk 1904-1979. Vienna: Brandstätter, 2000.

Description: Here is a pair of one of the most knocked off Walter Bosse designs. These were designed by Bosse originally as pipe rests, but we have seen the standing version also used as holders for salt and pepper shakers. Most of the copies we see are of the standing version and were made in the Soviet Union (USSR). If you check the various on-line market places you will find plenty of these copies, but a closer inspection reveals their inferior quality. Most are black paint over metal, whereas the originals are genuinely patinated cast brass. Both these examples are signed. One is signed with the correct impressed mark “Austria Baller” on the bottom as shown. The other is signed with its rare retained original foil label, which usually didn’t survive. These can also be used as whimsical ring and earring holders or as paperweights.