Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
Nymphenburg — one of Europe’s most venerable porcelain factories — was founded near Munich in 1747 by Maximilian III Joseph, the elector of Bavaria. It didn’t begin producing under the name we know today, however, until 1761, when it was moved to Nymphenburg Palace.
Porcelain was invented in East Asia around 2,000 years ago, and its formula, which requires a special clay called kaolin, became a closely guarded secret. It wasn’t until the early 1700s that chemists at Meissen, Germany, in the employ of Augustus II the Strong, the elector of Saxony, discovered a process for making true, as opposed to soft-paste, porcelain. Soon factories across Europe were producing fine porcelain services and sculpture for an elite clientele.
Nymphenburg was one of these factories, manufacturing elaborate services for dinner, dessert, coffee and tea, and sculptures for the Bavarian nobility. Round objects, such as Nymphenburg plates and vases, were turned on potter’s wheels, while more complex ones, like figures, were slip cast in molds. This technique ensured that the pieces’ dimensions were precise and consistent. Once shaped, they were fired and, after that, hand-decorated by experienced china painters, who finished each to exacting standards.
Among Nymphenburg’s most famous objects are its lively and charming Rococo-style figurines, most often depicting Commedia dell'Arte characters or exotic Chinese figures. Today, the company makes versions of its historic figurines with updated forms and decorations by such designers as Christian Lacroix and Vivienne Westwood.
It also still makes one of its earliest, and eternally popular, china patterns: the floral Cumberland, created in 1765 by Franz Anton Bustelli as the electoral court service. Cumberland is one of more than 20,000 patterns housed today in Nymphenburg’s archive, enabling owners of incomplete sets to find replacements. In addition, the company has engaged contemporary designers such as Ted Muehling and Hella Jongerius to create witty new designs that celebrate the firm’s history while giving it a fresh spin.
Find authentic Nymphenburg Porcelain decorative objects, tableware and other items on 1stDibs.
Early 20th Century German Rococo Revival Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century German Rococo Revival Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
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Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
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Early 20th Century German Rococo Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
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Early 20th Century German Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
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Early 20th Century German Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
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1920s German Rococo Vintage Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
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1920s German Rococo Vintage Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
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Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
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Early 20th Century German Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
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1950s German Vintage Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
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20th Century Spanish Modern Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
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15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Antique Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
Earthenware
Late 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
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Mid-20th Century German Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
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20th Century Italian Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
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Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
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20th Century Chinese Export Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
Terracotta
Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
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21st Century and Contemporary European Art Deco Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
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20th Century Chinese Export Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
Terracotta
20th Century German Rococo Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
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1920s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
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1910s German Beaux Arts Vintage Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
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1920s German Vintage Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century German Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century German Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century German Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century German Nymphenburg Porcelain Furniture
Nymphenburg Porcelain furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
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- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024To date Nymphenburg porcelain, look for a maker's mark in an inconspicuous area. Since its commission in 1754, the porcelain factory has used a wide range of marks to identify its pieces. By comparing the mark on your porcelain ware to images shared on trusted online resources, you can approximate its age. For example, a coat of arms marking above the brand's wordmark and the number 1754 indicate a piece produced in 2008 or after. If you have difficulty determining the age of a particular piece, a knowledgeable appraiser or antique dealer can assist you. Find a diverse assortment of Nymphenburg porcelain ware on 1stDibs.