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.
Handcrafted rococo porcelain chandelier
By Nymphenburg Porcelain
Located in München, Bavaria
In the 1930s, Nymphenburg director Albert Bäuml decided to revive Franz Conrad Linck's famous rococo chandeliers with a "plain" interpretation. In addition to classical rocailles, th...
Porcelain
Handcrafted porcelain ceiling lamp design Ruth Gurvich Lightscape Nymphenburg
By Nymphenburg Porcelain
Located in München, Bavaria
This pair of lamps - Alpha and Beta - are handcast in Nymphenburg porcelain in white bisque. This ingenious design by Ruth Gurvich is created by folding rough watercolor paper into s...
Porcelain, Textile
Nymphenburg Porcelain ceiling lamp group - Gentiana Alba - Textile cables
By Nymphenburg Porcelain
Located in München, Bavaria
This ceiling lamp was developed for an interior project in the mountains of Germany and has become a standard in the offering by Nymphenburg Porzellan. Designed by Studio Faubel in partnership with the architect Rainer Schmidt, this porcelain ceiling lamp reminds of the Enzian flower found in the surroundings of the mountain huts...
Porcelain, Textile
Porcelain & hand blown glass table lamp, brass, textile cable, 5 colors ways
By Nymphenburg Porcelain
Located in München, Bavaria
The designer "Colo" table lamp is crafted of fine hand blown glass by the glass manufactory Theresienthal. Nymphenburg porcelain rounds up this high end table lamp with a hand cast p...
Porcelain, Textile, Blown Glass
Eilchholtz Purple Hand-Blown Glass "Table Lamp Castillo".
By EICHHOLTZ
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Eilchholtz Purple Hand-Blown Glass Table Lamp "Castillo".
Art Glass
Ceiling Pull-Down Scissor Lamp – 20 inch Porcelain Shade
By Early Electrics Design Studio
Located in Peekskill, NY
This ceiling lamp features a heavy duty ceiling scissor counterbalanced with rolled spring. These scissors were often used to hold lights in photo studios. We combined this older sci...
Porcelain
Modern Brass and Hand Blown Mirrored Glass Fulcrum Table Lamp
By Bianco Light & Space
Located in Hawthorne, CA
Drawing inspiration from infinite patterns, the Fulcrum table lamp is part of Bianco Light and Space, Tessellation series, a sculptural investigation using light, symmetry, and modul...
Brass
Antique Rococo style crystal chandelier
Located in Eindhoven, NL
A beautiful Rococo style chandelier with 6 lights. The chandelier is richly decorated with beautiful large cut crystal pendeloques, flower rosettes and stars. Some of the crystals a...
Crystal, Brass
$186 / item
H 5.52 in W 6.3 in D 6.3 in
BULB Cone Ceiling Lamp Small with Yellow Cable by Pedro Sottomayor
By Pedro Sottomayor
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Designed by Pedro Sottomayor, the BULB Lamp celebrates the art of hand-blown glass through a pure geometric form and a soft, atmospheric glow. Crafted as a full glass enclosure, the ...
Blown Glass
French Rococo Gilt Chandelier
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Rococo gilded eight-light chandelier, the striking contrast of glass daisies with the gilt finish creates an organic feel and texture. Fabricated from a painted steel frame, w...
Steel
$17,557Sale Price|50% Off
H 50.4 in Dm 33.47 in
19th Century Capodimonte Porcelain Chandelier, Rococo Style, 12 Lights
By Capo Di Monte
Located in Firenze, IT
A remarkable 19th century Italian porcelain chandelier from the renowned Capodimonte manufactory, distinguished by its sculptural richness and exceptional decorative detail. This imp...
Porcelain
c. 1950s Scandinavian Flush Mount Ceiling Lamp, Glass and Porcelain
Located in Skien, NO
**Stunning Ceiling Lamp, ca. 1950s – Scandinavian Modern Design** Elevate your space with this exquisite ceiling lamp, a true testament to Scandinavian Modern design from the mid-...
Porcelain, Glass
$1,814
H 45 in Dm 19.3 in
Rare Handcrafted Mid-Century Modern Rattan & Brass Pendant Light / Ceiling Lamp
Located in Lisse, NL
Stylish midcentury made and height adjustable light fixture. This rare 1970s light fixture is ideal for bringing good style and the perfect ki...
Brass
19th century brass and crystal Rococo style chandelier
Located in Eindhoven, NL
An elegant brass and crystal chandelier with 8 lights. Decorated with various soft coloured crystal pendeloques and floral rosettes. Very beautiful and decorative are the narrow glas...
Crystal, Brass
Rococo Style Chandelier, Porcelain Flowers, Rocaille Pattern
Located in Antwerp, BE
Very rare on the market, impressive neo-Rococo metal chandelier, beautifully decorated with purple porcelain applications and roses flowers. Extremely...
Brass
60s 70s Ball Lamp Hanging Lamp Glass Ceiling Lamp Space Age Design
Located in Neuenkirchen, NI
70s lamp lamp ball lamp hanging lamp glass ceiling lamp space age design Object: spherical lamp Manufacturer: Condition: good Age: around 1960-1970 Dimensions: Diam...
Metal, Chrome
Nymphenburg Porcelain Theresienthal glass hand-crafted table lamp
By Nymphenburg Porcelain
Located in München, Bavaria
This hand crafted table lamp is a combination of valuable materials in a modern composition. Nymphenburg porcelain has created a shade of translucent porcelain that is unrivaled. Com...
Porcelain, Blown Glass