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 1960s.

An original vintage example of Walter Bosse’s most famous design from the 1960’s. This complete set of 6 stacking hedgehog ashtrays is in excellent original condition with original matte black patina. This rare version has polishing that is very subtle and dark, giving this set a unique almost all-black or “midnight” appearance. Bosse was known to do all-patina castings as special editions, usually for the Japanese market. I’ve come to call them “midnight” hedgehogs because the patina is a rich matte black and the polishing is a deep matte bronze, something I don’t see often. The casting quality on this set is very smooth and the details are captured well in this casting. The patina is a rich matte black and the polishing is barely there with a touch of gold on the tips. Baby is cute with X legs that have a nice tall base, and a pointed nose. The eyes are medium sized and drilled. Spines are tall and rounded, the nose is a nice long length and the legs are long and well formed. The first hedgehog in the set has very lightly polished ears, present on the earlier sets, which is more rare. Overall this is a fantastic classic example of Walter Bosse’s hedgehog ashtrays. All these attributes date this set to around the early 1960s. Comes with all 6 hedgehog ashtrays that stack up and nest inside each other. Made of solid brass.

Unmarked. Last two images show a page from an original Walter Bosse catalog circa the 1960s and an original advertisement for his hedgehog ashtrays.

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