Walter Bosse Hedgehog Ashtrays

An original family of stacking hedgehogs by Walter Bosse, 1950's. These hedgehogs are perhaps Walter Bosse's most famous design. They were produced in Germany, and this set is a fine example dating from the late 1950's.

Most of Walter Bosse's works in metal were produced by Herta Baller in Vienna. When Bosse moved to West Germany in 1953, he designed an entire portfolio of new work to be produced outside of Austria. The hedgehog ashtrays were conceived during this time.

The six hedgehogs, each with their own unique characteristics, were designed as personal ashtrays which can be stacked, when not in use, to form a large hedgehog figure. The spines of each hedgehog are shaped perfectly to accommodate a cigarette. 

Unfortunately, the clever design was stolen and copied by numerous manufacturers during the 1960's. Bosse fought for most of his life in unprecedented legal battles for the copyright of his design. He would eventually win, and resultantly these cute and unassuming characters are the basis of most copyright laws today, making them truly historically significant little hedgehogs.