Designer: Walter Bosse (1904 – 1979)

Item: Set of four hand ashtrays

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

Country of origin: Austria

Year made: Ca. 1950s

Materials: Patinated and polished brass

Dimensions: Each are about 2 ¾” x 4” x 4”

Condition: Very good plus used condition.

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 a nice collection of four original vintage period pieces 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 these are original and vintage examples from the 1950s. These early original versions are getting harder to find. Despite being designed as ashtrays, these could also be used to serve small candies, or to hold rings or other small jewelry. A great opportunity to make a design statement with this collection.

Each are signed with the correct impressed “Austria Baller” marks on the bottom. There are images from the original Bosse catalogs showing the ashtrays in use and their model numbers, which can be found on the Internet. We have another single example in outstanding excellent unused condition that we are selling separately.