While the Rosenthal Porcelain Factory grew from humble decorating roots — as many pottery companies do — it eventually built a list of universally revered designer and artist partners that included Andy Warhol and Salvador Dalí. And after securing an enviable position as a top manufacturer of serveware and dominating the porcelain and bone china markets, Rosenthal expanded into furniture production, working with influential designers Verner Panton, Luigi Colani and Günther Ferdinand Ris and Herbert Selldorf.
German-born Jewish businessman Philipp Rosenthal founded the company in 1879 in Bavaria. It began as his modest workshop where he painted porcelain and encountered success with porcelain ashtrays. Rosenthal hired the best designers and clay modelers he could find. Adolf Oppel designed figurative Art Nouveau pieces, while Eleonore (Lore) Friedrich-Gronau produced decorative objects, namely her graceful porcelain dancer figurines, for the company.
Dinnerware, though, would be a Rosenthal mainstay. Between 1904 and 1910, Rosenthal produced its renowned dinnerware lines such as Donatello, Darmstadt and Isolde. These were introduced as unornamented white pieces — only later were they given their underglaze designs.
Rosenthal founder Philipp, a Catholic of Jewish ancestry, resigned in 1934 as the company’s president due to pressures owing to discriminatory German laws that took shape during the rise of the Nazi regime. Rosenthal died in 1937, and the family fled to America. The company would not regain its footing until 1950 when Rosenthal’s son, Philip, joined the firm and, in 1958, became chairman and dubbed Germany’s “China King.” At its peak, the company had 10,000 employees.
In the 1950s, Rosenthal’s modernist dinnerware was a significant part of the brand’s offerings, and by 1961 they introduced the famed Rosenthal Studio Line. Although furniture designers and ceramicists would lead the list of individuals working with Rosenthal — among them Tapio Wirkkala, Max Weber and Lisa Larson — the company eventually reached out to fine artists, not only Dalí and Warhol but Sandro Chia and Kenny Scharf. Rosenthal also collaborated with fashion designers Gianni Versace and Donatella Versace.
In a daring move in 1972, the company diversified into furniture, collaborating with some of the giants of mid-century modern design. The revolutionary Sunball chair, an icon of Space Age seating crafted by Selldorf and Ris, was among Rosenthal’s stellar successes in this venture.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Rosenthal ceramics, porcelain, tableware, seating and more.
Versace Russian Dream" Rosenthal Tea Set
By Versace, Rosenthal
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Russian Dream Tea Cup and Saucer by Versace for Rosenthal, set of 2, is in 100% Porcelain and perfect condition. Dimensions: tea cup measures 4 inches in diameter and 2.3 in height, ...
Hermes Rocabar Plaid Dog Blanket Reversible
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Rocobar Plaid dog blanket is inspired by the iconic Rocabar blanket. Reversible 100% Wool and is very resistant to wear. Your chic fashionista pup will l...
Ceramic Piggy Bank from Tiffany & Co.
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Glasgow, GB
White and blue ceramic piggy bank from Tiffany & Co. Cute bunny shaped money bank crafted by Este Ceramiche in Italy and hand painted in the labels signature Tiffany blue and white...
$1,756
H 1.13 in W 6.7 in L 8.27 in
Hermès Gold Porcelain Change Tray Ashtray Carnets d'Equateur Dallet
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare and Gorgeous Authentic Hermès Change Tray Can be used as ashtray Print: "Carnets d'Equateur" Designed by Robert Dallet Theme: Africa, wild animals, jungle, leopard, parrots ...
Hermes "Selle Imaginaire" Porcelain Change Tray
By Hermès
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Hermes "Selle Imaginaire" Porcelain Change Tray is a luxurious and meticulously crafted accessory that exemplifies Hermes' dedication to exquisite craftsmanship and elegant desig...
$1,463
H 1.38 in W 6.38 in L 7.88 in
Hermès Flowers Seashells Print Ashtray Change Tray Porcelain Gold
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare and Gorgeous Authentic Hermès Ashtray Print: seashells, flowers, butterfly Made in France Made of porcelain, edges and notches hand painted with fine yellow gold Colorways: ...
Hermes Samarcande Paperweight Natural Mahogany Horsehead
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Samarcande Natural Mahogany paperweight. Crafted in solid mahogany wood. This exquisite paperweight can serve as a stand alone. Etoupe leather base stampe...
Hermès Cigar Ashtray Change Tray 2 Dogs by Cecil Aldin Porcelain
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare and Adorable Authentic Hermès Ashtray Print: 2 dogs napping on an armchair Designed Cecil Aldin Made in France Made of printed porcelain, edges and notches hand-painted with...
$119Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.75 in W 4 in D 2.75 in
Christian Dior Casablanca Mug Fine China Porcelain Japan with Chip
By Christian Dior
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Christian Dior "Casablanca" Fine China 24K Gold Trim porcelain mug. The mug has a small chip at the top and needs restoration. The “Casablanca” pattern features an Art Deco inspired repeat pattern of red collared cheetahs amidst green palm trees around a black, gold, and red geometric border. The rim is punctuated by a discrete Dior logo inside of a 24k gold band. The mug is stamped on the bottom “Christian Dior Fine China...
Exceptional Hermès Cashmere Plaid Throw Blanket Cover Felin Hug
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Absolutely Gorgeous Authentic Hermès Throw Blanket Gorgeous, warm, soft, ideal partner for your cold evenings ! Print: "Câlin Felin" (feline hug) Shows 2 tigers, one fauve and one...
$214Sale Price|79% Off
H 11.82 in W 11.82 in D 0.79 in Dm 11.82 in
French Limoges porcelain Cake plate, mint green and pink handpainted
Located in VALLADOLID, ES
Gorgeous Limoges porcelain plate, mint green and pink, early 20 th– France This romantic Limoges porcelain plate features hand-painted fuchsia and pink roses on a pastel mint green ...
Hermes Garde-Robe Pop Porcelain & Goatskin Ashtray
By Hermès
Located in London, GB
Brand New - Hermes Garde-Robe Pop Porcelain & Goatskin Ashtray From the Emile Hermes collection, Gianpaolo Pagni draws inspiration from one of them. Using his famous stamp techniq...
Hermes Rallye 24 Set of 6 Limoge Porcelain Tumblers
By Hermès
Located in London, GB
Rare Item - Hermes Rallye 24 Set of 6 Limoge Porcelain Tumblers From a sought-after, discontinued collection is this set of six multicoloured tumbler...
Rosenthal Versace Medusa Plate Boxed
By Rosenthal, Versace Collection
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Rosenthal Versace Medusa Plate Boxed. This stunning Versace dinnerware is called Medusa Red. It is produced using the finest porcelain creating a st...
Rosenthal Versace 'Floralia Gold' Plate Boxed
By Rosenthal, Versace Collection
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Rosenthal Versace ‘Floralia Gold’ Plate Boxed. The plate is a work of art and the best expression of both, the elegant and sophisticated Versace style and Rosenthal porcelain workman...
Rosenthal Versace Ikarus Medusa Sugar Bowl Design Paul Whimsical
By Rosenthal, Versace Collection
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Rosenthal Versace Ikarus Medusa Sugar Bowl Design Paul Whimsical. Boxed. This stunning Versace dinnerware is called Medusa Red. It is produced using...
Collection of Four Versace for Rosenthal Porcelain Dining Plates circa 1990s
By Rosenthal
Located in University City, MO
Collection of Versace for Rosenthal four porcelain dining plates c 1990s The collection of four white porcelain plates are in various sizes and designs They all have black stenciled ...