Walter Bosse Zebra Stripe Match Holder

A brass match holder designed by Walter Bosse for Herta Baller, Austria, c.1950.

In the 1950’s, Walter Bosse brought the animal kingdom into the home with his extensive and much-loved collection of patinated brass figures and animal-shaped functional objects. This match holder is a more unusual piece as, while inspired by the natural world, Bosse has taken inspiration from the zebra’s wonderful striped pattern rather than its form. The use of all-over surface decoration is rare in Bosse’s work, making this piece a distinctive and visually bold addition to any collection.

Handmade in Vienna and black-patinated, the objects stripes have been polished back to create an attractive ‘black-golden’ pattern. In addition to being a highly decorative object for the home, this item functions perfectly as a match holder, having two pockets – for both small & long matches – and striking paper on two sides.