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Profile image of a rare Walter Bosse seal ashtray. Although minimalist the few lines cut into the brass along with the holes for the eyes and nose are extremely characterful.
Baller Austria

Walter Bosse Seal Tray

£160.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.

A rare dish in the form of a bathing seal, designed by Walter Bosse & produced by Herta Baller, in the early 1950's. 

Most with an interest in Mid-twentieth century design know that Austrian-born Walter Bosse was a prolific designer. For this reason, collectors of his work are still occasionally delighted by the surprise discovery of new designs.

Bosse's 'egg-cup' animals, particularly the cat variant, are some of his best-known works. However, this seal incarnation is an especially rare model, which we have never seen before. Needless to say, we were super excited to have found it -not least because of how beautifully the relaxed sunbathing seal has been modelled.

The joyful seal floats on his back with polished golden flippers outstretched. His empty stomach suggests he was likely designed as an ashtray, or an egg cup, but the object could also be used as a ball-candleholder or vide poche for jewellery.