Walter Bosse Vintage Nesting Hedgehog Ashtray Set SDL, 1950s

$795.00

This iconic set of hedgehogs is a classic of mid century modern design. Designed by Walter Bosse, an expert craftsman from the golden age of Vienna bronzes. His “black/gold” line of animals was crafted to make “as many people as possible happy.” Copied millions of times over, offered here is an authentic set from the 1950s.

An original vintage example of Walter Bosse’s most famous design from the 1950s. This complete set of 6 stacking hedgehog ashtrays is in excellent original condition with good original patina. This set is extremely rare due to the very clear SDL marking on the bottom. It is likely one of the first to come out of the original SDL master mold (probably in the mid 1950s) due to the crisp quality of the marking. Subsequent hedgehogs cast from that same mold have much fainter and harder to read SDL markings. The casting quality is very smooth with good detail. The polishing is subtle and a deep golden color, while the patina is a dark black with a matte texture. Baby has excellent casting quality and detail and fully formed legs. Spines are tall and rounded, the nose is a good length and the legs are on the longer side. Overall an excellently proportioned set. All these attributes show this is set from the mid 1950s. Comes with all 6 hedgehog ashtrays that stack up and nest inside each other. Made of solid brass with a beautiful shiny black patina and golden polished spines. Marked with SDL on the underside of the big bowl.

Authenticated by Modern Vienna Bronze as an original Walter Bosse design.

ウォルター・ボッセ – ハリネズミオブジェ/灰皿

In stock

Description

Designed by Walter Bosse, circa 1960s.

Born in Vienna in 1904, Walter Bosse was a student of Micheal Powolny, Franz Cizek, and Richard Riemerschmid. He initially worked with ceramic sold by the Wiener Werkstätte, Augarten, and Goldscheider. His designs are some of the most important works in mid-century decorative arts. In the late 1940s Bosse began to produce countless brass miniatures (mostly animal figurines) with which he showed his admiration for the various creatures of nature. With his colleague, Karl Hagenauer, he created several figures inspired by the “zoo” theme. With the uncommon look of the collection, he focused on “making as many people as possible happy.” In partnership with Herta Baller he presented his collection at art fairs in Frankfurt, where he found a large amount of international customers. The “black/gold” interplay between polished and patinated brass was soon known around the world.


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Materials: Bronze/brass

Overall Dimensions:
11.5cm / 4.5″ long
7cm / 2.75″ tall
7cm / 2.75″ wide
Smallest hedgehog: 4cm / 1.5″ long
Full set of 6 ashtrays

Additional information

Weight 818 g
Dimensions 115 × 70 × 70 mm