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.
Postmodern Procelain Clock by Marcello Morandini for Rosenthal Studio Line
By Rosenthal
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fantastic porcelain desk or table clock by Italian designer Marcello Morandini for German ceramics powerhouse Rosenthal for their designer-focused Studio Line. Black and white gra...
Porcelain
Tureen Porcelain Rosenthal, Germany
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
A German white porcelain soup stew tureen with hand-painted floral design and gold detail, circa mid to late-20th century, Germany. Tureen, with lid, has an octagonal shape and openi...
Porcelain
Gilbert Portanier Liguria Porcelain Wall Plate for Rosenthal, Germany
By Gilbert Portanier, Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Gilbert Portanier’s “Liguria” porcelain wall plate for Rosenthal Studio-Line turns a functional form into a richly layered ceramic artwork. Abstract and biomorphic motifs in red, blu...
Porcelain
German White Matte Porcelain Vase by Rosenthal Studio Line
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
A German white matte porcelain vase by Rosenthal Studio-Line Collection, circa late-20th century, Germany. Oval in shape with organic modern design on around - front, side and back. Maker's mark on bottom...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Bjorn Wiinblad Studio Line Ceramic Vase for Rosenthal
By Bjorn Wiinblad, Rosenthal
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
A beautiful oval shaped Rosenthal vase made for the Studio Line ceramics. Wonderful cobalt blue body, with a design from the 1001 nights series, beautiful colours and gilding. ...
Ceramic
Set of 4 Vintage German Studio Line Brotzeit Shot Glasses in Ceramic, 1970s
By Rosenthal
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Studio Line Brotzeit Shot Glasses in Ceramic from Rosenthal, Set of 4, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution markIt is completel...
Ceramic
Postmodern Tac Series Box with Lid from Rosenthal, 1980s
By Rosenthal
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Tac Series Box with Lid from Rosenthal, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Glass...
Glass
Ceramic Julia Dinner Plate by Fornasetti for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
A "Julia" porcelain plate with surrealism designs by Piero Fornasetti for Rosenthal, an iconic series from 'Temi e variazioni' (“Themes and Va...
Ceramic
$187Sale Price|25% Off
Pair of Studio Line Candlesticks by Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal, 1970s
By Rosenthal, Bjorn Wiinblad
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Pair of Studio Line Candlesticks by Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal, Germany, 1970s. Makers mark to the bottom of each example.
Glass
Set of 2 Floral Vases by W. Bauer and A. Le Foll for Rosenthal, Germany, 1980s
By Rosenthal, Cuno Fischer
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Op Art porcelain vase set of 2 Producer: Rosenthal, Germany Designer: W. Bauer and A. Le Foll Decade: 1980s Set of two graphic, modernist porcelain vases by W. ...
Porcelain
Raymond Loewy for Rosenthal Porcelain China Service for 12
By Raymond Loewy, Rosenthal
Located in Palm Springs, CA
German porcelain china dinnerware service for 12 by renowned American designer Raymond Loewy. The set consists of 12 dinner plate, 12 Salad pla...
Porcelain
Rare modular Domino coffee table by Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Jan Wichers
Located in Munich, DE
absolutely amazing coffee table by Jan Wichers & Alexander Blomberg for Rosenthal. four elements connected with hinges can be moved in every direction. a very modular piece of ar...
Metal
Large Postmodern Glass Block Vase from Rosenthal, 1980s
By Rosenthal
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Postmodern Glass Block Vase from Rosenthal, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Glass ...
Glass
Rosenthal Andy Warhol "Golden Angels" glasses
By Andy Warhol, Rosenthal
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Rosenthal Studio-Line Andy Warhol christmas golden Angels glasses. Andy Warhol, quite possibly the greatest pop art artist of our time, loved Christmas and was known for giving his f...
Glass
Bjorn Wiinblad White Porcelain 7.5" Plate for Rosenthal, Germany, 20th Century
By Rosenthal, Bjorn Wiinblad
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Bjorn Wiinblad White Porcelain 7.5" Plate for Rosenthal, Germany, 20th Century.
Porcelain
Rosenthal ‘Romance’ Crystal Candlesticks by Bjorn Wiinblad
By Rosenthal, Bjørn Wiinblad
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Rosenthal ‘Romance’ Crystal candleholders designed by Bjorn Wiinblad. They are in good vintage condition with minor wear consistent with age. Meas...
Crystal
$142Sale Price|20% Off
Bjørn Wiinblad Christmas Plate 1991 "Christmas Carols"
By Rosenthal, Bjørn Wiinblad
Located in Brønshøj, DK
Bjørn Wiinblad porcelain Christmas plate 1991, produced by Rosenthal Motif: Kommet, ihr Hirten Designed by: Bjørn Wiinblad Diameter: 11" - 29 cm Comes in original box. Box has s...
Porcelain
A Large Vintage Rosenthal Gray Glass Battuto Style Bullet-form Vase
By Rosenthal
Located in San Francisco, CA
the bullet-form vase in gray glass with oculus opening above a frosted upper section over a carved faceted lower portion tapering to the base; this chiseled glass method is similar t...
Cut Glass
Tapio Wirkkala Huge Paper Back Vase for Rosentahl, 1977
By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Munich, DE
Rare large paper bag vase designed by Tapio Wirkkala and manufactured by Rosenthal, Germany 1977. This vase is made of porcelain (stoneware) and looks like a paper bag. The vase is m...
Porcelain
Original Rosenthal White Porcelain Flower Vase Hand Painted Gold Leaf Flowers
By Bjorn Wiinblad, Rosenthal
Located in Miami, FL
Striking original Rosenthal porcelain hand painted flower vase attributed to Bjorn Wiinblad and made in Germany by Rosenthal. The vase features multi floral blossoms in Gold Leaf. M...
Gold Leaf
Mid-Century German Ceramic Vase from Rosenthal, 1960s
By Rosenthal
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Ceramic Vase from Rosenthal, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic ...
Ceramic
Bjorn Wiinblad White Porcelain Lidded Jar for Rosenthal, Germany, 20th Century
By Rosenthal, Bjorn Wiinblad
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Bjorn Wiinblad White Porcelain Lidded Jar for Rosenthal, Germany, 20th Century.
Porcelain
$220Sale Price|20% Off
Christa Hausler-Goltz Matte White Porcelain Vase for Rosenthal, Germany
By Rosenthal, Christa Hausler-Goltz
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Christa Hausler-Goltz Matte White Porcelain Vase for Rosenthal Studio-Linie, Germany, 20th Century
Porcelain
Beautiful Midcentury Björn Winblad "Romanze" China Vase Rosenthal Studio Line
By Rosenthal
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An amazing midcentury studio art ceramic porcelain vase made in Germany, design Björn Winblad for Rosenthal, circa 1970s. Vase is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, or fle...
Porcelain
ROSENTHAL - SQUARES - Mid Century Crystal Wine Glass - Germany - Circa 1960's
By Rosenthal
Located in Chatham, ON
ROSENTHAL (Manufacturer) - SQUARES (Pattern) - Rare Mid Century wheel cut clear crystal wine glass - featuring a band of six engraved squares to the outside - signed on the base - Ge...
Crystal
Pair of Sculptural Porcelain Hands by Rosenthal Technik, Germany, circa 1980
By Rosenthal
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Striking pair of sculptural hands produced by Rosenthal Technik, the experimental and industrial design division of the renowned German manufacturer. Executed in white porcelain wit...
Porcelain
Mid Century 99 Piece Set of Porcelain China Rosenthal Parisian Spring Germany
By Rosenthal
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous sets of beautiful and elegant china by Rosenthal. 99 PCs which consist of 12 each of the following, dinner plates, salad plates, bread/desert plates, fruit cups, soup bowls, Tea cups, saucers. Coffee pot with lid, 2 sugar bowls with lids, gravy boat with attached underdish, creamer, 3 platters, covered vegetable dish, and a open vegetable dish. 1 extra saucer. In excellent condition. Only damage is a cracked sugar bowl lid...
Porcelain
$302Sale Price|30% Off
Tapio Wirkaala "Porcelaine Noire" Dish Plate for Rosenthal Studio Linie, 1970s
By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Vintage dish plate in black porcelain designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio Linie “Porcelaine Noire” serie with shiny and matte tone-on-tone dec...
Porcelain
Vintage German Hand-Painted Charger or Wall Plaque by Rosenthal Studio-Line
By Rosenthal
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Large decorative charger dish, centerpiece or wall plaque in handpainted ceramics. Designed and made at Rosenthal in Germany circa 1970-80. It...
Ceramic
Porcelain Jewelry Dish by Rosenthal Animal Elephant Design
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful German white porcelain jewelry dish with Elephant design by Rosenthal, circa 20th century, Germany. Dish is square with large elephant at c...
Porcelain
Artist Plate No. 11 by Emilio Pucci for Rosenthal, Mid-Century, 1980s Germany
By Emilio Pucci, Rosenthal
Located in Andernach, DE
Art print wall plate by Emilio Pucci for Rosenthal was inspired by the cathedral of Florence, Italy: ''Unser Dom vereint Rhythmus und Geist unserer Stadt'' ('''Our cathedral combines...
Porcelain
Bjorn Wiinblad White Porcelain Lidded Bowl, Rosenthal, Germany, 20th Century
By Rosenthal, Bjorn Wiinblad
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Bjorn Wiinblad White Porcelain Lidded Bowl, Rosenthal, Germany, 20th Century.
Porcelain
Barbara Brenner Porcelain Vase for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Barbara Brenner
Located in Miami, FL
Organic postmodern porcelain vase by Barbara Brenner for Rosenthal, 1980s.
Porcelain
1990s, Iconic Porcelain Medusa Vase Designed by Gianni Versace for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Gianni Versace
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A red and gold porcelain vase designed by Gianni Versace and manufactured by Rosenthal in the Nineties. It's in perfect conditions, probably never used. The Medusa it's always used by Gianni Versace and also now it's often present in Versace collections. The Medusa was one of the 3 Gorgons...
Porcelain
Bjorn Wiinblad White Porcelain 10.5" Plate for Rosenthal, Germany, 20th Century
By Rosenthal, Bjorn Wiinblad
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Bjorn Wiinblad White Porcelain 10.5" Plate for Rosenthal, Germany, 20th Century.
Porcelain
$312Sale Price|20% Off
Sculptural Christa Hausler Goltz Black Porcelain Vase by Rosenthal Studio Line
By Christa Hausler-Goltz, Rosenthal
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A 1970s black bisque porcelain Op Art vase by Christa Hausler Goltz for Rosenthal. This vase is a prime example of the Op Art movement, which was characte...
Porcelain
Porcelain Figure "Prayer Dancer", Rosenthal Sculptor by Gustav Oppel, 1936
By Rosenthal
Located in Rīga, LV
Porcelain figure "Prayer Dancer", Rosenthal, sculptor: Gustav Oppel, Germany, 1936 Additional Information: Materials: Porcelain, gilding, underglaze hand painting Vintage from t...
Porcelain
Bjørn Wiinblad Rosenthal Ceramic Table Lamp Yellow Glaze Denmark 1970s
By Rosenthal, Bjørn Wiinblad
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Bjørn Wiinblad Rosenthal ceramic table lamp produced in the 1970s in Denmark. This monumental table lamp features a high-gloss glazed surface in contrasting bright yellow and deep bl...
Ceramic
Porcelain Figure "Pierrot" Germany by Rosenthal, Constantin Holzer-Defanti, 1924
By Constantin Holzer-Defanti, Rosenthal
Located in Rīga, LV
Porcelain figure "Pierrot", Rosenthal, Constantin Holzer-Defanti, Germany, 1924 Additional Information: Materials: Porcelain, underglaze hand painting Vintage from the 1920s Ar...
Porcelain
Danish Modern Porcelain Vase by Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Bjorn Wiinblad
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant and petite porcelain bud vase designed by renowned Danish ceramicist, Bjorn Wiinblad, for Rosenthal studio-line Germany. Vase itself has a modernist, curvaceous form with Wi...
Porcelain
Rosenthal Germany Op Art Huge White Relief Porcelain Vase, 1960s
By Rosenthal
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful white porcelain op art relief vase with shiny glaze from the 1960s, designed and executed by Rosenthal, Germany. In very good condition.
Porcelain
Rosenthal, Art Deco Porcelain Trumpet Vase with Flowers & Gilding, circa 1933
By Rosenthal
Located in Chatham, ON
Rosenthal- Art Deco transfer decorated and gilded porcelain trumpet vase - featuring tulips and floral blossoms and leaves to all sides in orange, puce and tan - all on a cream groun...
Gold Leaf
Dorothy Hafner Flash Vase and Candleholder Set for Rosenthal, 1980s
By Dorothy Hafner, Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Four-piece porcelain set designed by Dorothy Hafner for Rosenthal Studio-Line, comprising two vases and two triangular candleholders. Each piece features Hafner’s “Flash” pattern, wi...
Porcelain
$142Sale Price|20% Off
Bjørn Wiinblad Christmas Plate 1989 "Christmas Carols"
By Rosenthal, Bjørn Wiinblad
Located in Brønshøj, DK
Bjørn Wiinblad porcelain Christmas plate 1989, produced by Rosenthal Motif: Wer klopfet an Designed by: Bjørn Wiinblad Diameter: 11" - 29 cm Comes in original box and pamphlet. ...
Porcelain
Sculptural PISA Vase by Werner Uhl Porcelain Vase for Rosenthal Studio Line
By Rosenthal
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Stunning Rosenthal Studio Vase of the PISA series, designed by Werner Uhl. The design captivates viewers with its minimalist aesthetic, matte gla...
Porcelain
ROSENTHAL - SQUARES - Mid Century Crystal Liqueur Glass - Germany - Circa 1960's
By Rosenthal
Located in Chatham, ON
ROSENTHAL (Manufacturer) - SQUARES (Pattern) - Rare Mid Century wheel cut clear crystal liqueur glass - featuring a band of six engraved squares to the outside of the glass - signed ...
Crystal
Bjorn Wiinblad White Porcelain Tray for Rosenthal, Germany, 20th Century
By Rosenthal, Bjorn Wiinblad
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Bjorn Wiinblad White Porcelain Tray for Rosenthal, Germany, 20th Century.
Porcelain
Midcentury Speckled Bronze & White Porcelain Decorative Dish by Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
This sophisticated Mid-Century Modern decorative dish was realized by the esteemed maker Rosenthal in Germany, circa 1980. It features a square body with rounded sides offering a hig...
Porcelain
Exceptional Bowl Plate in Queensberry Marble Pattern by Rosenthal Studio-Line
By Rosenthal
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A very large fruit bowl or plate in the Queensberry Marble pattern by Rosenthal Studio-Line. Nice addition to every room or table.
Porcelain
White China Porcelain Vase by Jan van der Vaart for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Jan van der Vaart
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An amazing china porcelain studio art vase made in Germany, by Jan van der Vaart for Rosenthal, circa 1980s. Vase is in very good condition with no chi...
Porcelain
Porcelain Figure "Penguin", Germany By Rosenthal, 1953
By Rosenthal, Fritz Heidenreich
Located in Rīga, LV
Porcelain figure "Penguin", Rosenthal, sculptor: Fritz Heidenreich, Germany, 1953 Additional Information: Materials: Porcelain, underglaze hand painting Vintage from the 1950s ...
Porcelain
' Relaxer 2 ' Rocking Chairs by Verner Panton
By Rosenthal, Verner Panton
Located in Brussels, BE
Verner Panton's Relaxe 2 is one of his innovative piece of furniture that embodies mid-century modern design with a playful twist. His width of 100 cm makes the Relaxer 2 even more c...
Fabric, Beech
Antique Rosenthal Porcelain Pierrot Clown Figurine No. 436 by A. Caasmann
By Rosenthal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique German Jugendstil porcelain figurine. Designed by Albert Caasmann for Rosenthal in 1916. In the form of a Pierrot clown playing an acc...
Porcelain
Large OP Art Vase Porcelain Vase by Hans Theo Baumann for Rosenthal, Germany
By Hans Theo Baumann, Rosenthal
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: OP Art Porcelain vase Producer: Rosenthal, Germany Designer: Hans Theo Baumann Decade: 1970s This original vintage OP Art vase was pr...
Glass
Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio Line Porcelain Vases "Chicken" , 1970s
By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Naples, IT
Black and white matte porcelain vases in which the protagonist is a stylized chicken, deprived of its head. A design object that is suitable for decorating any type of environment....
Porcelain
1910s Rosenthal Putto & Monkey Porcelain Sculpture by Ferdinand Liebermann
By Ferdinand Liebermann, Rosenthal
Located in Vienna, AT
An unusual porcelain figurine displaying a putto being deloused by a monkey. This figurine was created by the German designer Ferdinand Liebermann in 1910 and manufactured Rosenthal ...
Porcelain
Rosenthal Porcelain Wall Plate by Bjorn Wiinblad, Germany, 1970s
By Rosenthal, Bjorn Wiinblad
Located in Delft, NL
Rosenthal porcelain wall plate by Bjorn Wiinblad, Germany, 1970s Square wall plate with round finish, designed by Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal,...
Porcelain
German polychrome porcelain eagle sculpture, Fritz Heidenreich, Rosenthal 1930s
By Rosenthal, Fritz Heidenreich
Located in MIlano, IT
German art decò polychrome porcelain eagle by Fritz Heidenreich for Rosenthal in the Selb department in 1930. Eagle sculpture in polychrome porcelain, resting on a rock also in porce...
Porcelain
Exaltation Crystal Bowl by Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Description: Giftware, cut curved lines, uneven edge Pattern number: 54089 Pattern: Exaltation by Rosenthal Status: Discontinued. Actual: 2002 - 2005 In...
Crystal
Versace for Rosenthal Barocco Porcelain Plate, Blue, 22cm, Germany
By Rosenthal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Versace for Rosenthal round barocco themed porcelain plate in blue / Made in Germany Original label on the underside / comes in original box Diameter: 8.5 inches / Height: 1 inch 1 a...
Porcelain