Designer: Walter Bosse (1904 – 1979)

Item: Hand ashtray

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

Country of origin: Austria

Year made: Ca. 1950s

Materials: Patinated and polished brass

Dimensions: 2 ¾” x 4” x 4”

Condition: Excellent, appears unused.

References: Edward, Alfred W., Art Deco Sculpture & Metalware, Schiffer Publishing Ltd (1996); Schreyer-Hartmann, Cherica, Walter Bosse: Leben, Kunst und Handwerk 1904-1979. Vienna: Brandstätter, (2000).

Description: Here is an original vintage period piece of one of the most famous Bosse designs produced by Baller. There were several different versions of the hand produced with the fingers in different positions. These have been copied and knocked-off by other firms in other countries (e.g., England, Israel, Mexico, Russia) over the years and were reintroduced by the firm that has the license for Bosse's designs, but this is an original and vintage example from the 1950s. These early original versions are getting harder to find. This could also be used to serve small candies or nuts. Signed with the correct “Austria Baller” mark on the bottom. There are images from the original Bosse catalogs showing the ashtrays and model number which can be found on the Internet.