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.
Vintage Rosenthal Porcelain Candelabra Germany
By Rosenthal
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Striking mid-century modern four-arm candelabra crafted in white porcelain with rich gilt detailing. Rosenthal, Germany, this sculptural candleholder features elegant curved arms, go...
Porcelain
$287
H 3.94 in W 1.97 in D 0.79 in
Rosenthal Porcelain Angel Candlestick After Andy Warhol, Circa 1980
By Rosenthal, (after) Andy Warhol
Located in Lille, FR
Porcelaine Angel Christmas Candlestick after Andy Warhol by Rosenthal, 1980s
Porcelain
Meissen Porcelain candelabra, circa 1890
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Brighton, Sussex
This exquisite pair of late 19th century Meissen porcelain candelabra showcases the intricate craftsmanship characteristic of the renowned German manufacturer. Each candelabra featur...
Porcelain
$2,034
H 20.48 in W 9.45 in D 9.45 in
Capodimonte Style Porcelain Candelabra, Cherubs & Floral Design, Italy
By Capodimonte
Located in Antwerp, BE
Italian Capodimonte style Candelabra in porcelainporcelain with 5 lights and 2 figures.Very elaborated with cherubs and loads delicated applied flowers and fruits.Minor restauration.
Porcelain
Studio Line Vase by Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Bjørn Wiinblad
Located in San Diego, CA
Floral motif Studio Line vase by Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal, circa 1970s. The vase is signed by Danish artist-cum-designer Bjorn Wiinbla...
Porcelain
Antique German Silver Candelabra
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique German 800 standard silver six-light candelabra; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection These exceptional antique German silver candelabra have a square shaped form to a cylindrical column onto a stepped swept square foot. Each impressive silver six light candelabrum retains the original hallmarked detachable push fit scrolling arms embellished with reed decoration. The branches (labra) support six circular rounded capitals, each embellished with embossed fluted and floral decoration, all segmented with bead decoration. The capitals are fitted with the original push fit incurved square sconces, embellished with further reed decoration. Each capital of these German candelabra centrepieces surmount an impressive square drip pan, featuring identical ornamentation to that of the sconces. Each silver candelabrum is fitted with a detachable screw fit central elevated capital, bearing the same ornamentation as the aforementioned examples; this detachable screw fit component indicates the high quality of the piece. These versatile candelabra can be used as candlesticks once the arms are detached. The Corinthian capital surmounts a Classic column encircled with vertical fluted decoration. The plain square swept foot is embellished with an applied wreath design, in addition to tied reed decoration to the lower portion. Both German silver candelabra have weighted bases, as to be expected, and are fitted with green baize to the underside. The hallmarks to the rim of each antique silver base include: National mark: Crescent moon and crown Silver quality/purity mark: .800 (800/1000) Maker's mark: Unknown Retailers mark: W. Kluge & Co, Berlin Such six-light candelabra are highly desirable and becoming increasingly difficult to locate. Condition These exceptional examples of 1900s silverware...
Sterling Silver
Porcelain amphora, Rosenthal, Germany, 1949
By Rosenthal
Located in Chorzów, PL
Porcelain amphora made of ecru porcelain, decorated with gilding and a bouquet of flowers motif. Amphora produced by the excellent German Rosenthal label, signed with a mark from 194...
Porcelain
Porcelain amphora, Rosenthal, Germany, 1949
By Rosenthal
Located in Chorzów, PL
Porcelain amphora made of ecru porcelain, decorated with gilding and a bouquet of flowers motif. Amphora produced by the excellent German Rosenthal label, signed with a mark from 194...
Porcelain
Rena Rosenthal Brass Double Arm Candelabra
By Rena Rosenthal
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of pantinated brass double arm candelabra, possibly a Hagenauer design by Rena Rosenthal, made in Austria. Patinated and lacquered brass sinuous double arms that appear to be a ...
Brass
$600Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 8.25 in W 7 in D 3.75 in
Pair of Uta Feyl White Matte Porcelain Candelabrum for Rosenthal Studio Linie
By Uta Feyl, Rosenthal
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of white matte porcelain three-light candelabrum by Uta Feyl for Rosenthal Studio Linie. Sometimes referred to as Feyl's Lotus line for Rosenthal, Germany. Introduced in 1982 a...
Porcelain
Pair of German Porcelain Two-Light Figural Candelabra, circa 1920
Located in New York, NY
Hutchenreuther. Art Nouveau.
Porcelain
Pompadour Porcelain Vase by Selb Rosenthal, Rare "US Zone"
By Selb Porcelain, Rosenthal
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice and rare "Pompadour" line porcelain vase by Selb / Rosenthal with a rare "US Zone" marking, circa late 1940s. The vase is in very good vintage condition with no chips or ...
Porcelain
Pair of Porcelain Candelabra
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Lantau, HK
Decorative with figures followers in relief. Porcelain hand painted, marked and the engraving 4611 12. Minor chips Shipping included Free and fast delivery door to door by air...
Porcelain
Sold
H 8.75 in W 10.75 in D 4.5 in
Candelabra by Sandra Kravitz for Rosenthal, "Tree of Light " Menorah
By Rosenthal
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Mixed metal Jewish themed candelabra, designed by Sandra Kravitz presented by the Jacob Rosenthal Collection. The bottom is stamped Rosenthal and Sandra Kravitz.
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Rosenthal White Porcelain Candelabra, 1940s
By Rosenthal
Located in Palermo, IT
Refined classic style candelabra with three curved arms and a central body for a larger diameter candle, in very fine creamy white porcelain with golden profiles and support spheres,...
Porcelain
Sold
H 13.5 in W 11 in D 15 in
Rosenthal Brass Articulating Hanukkah Menorah Oil Candle Lamp Candelabra Dolphin
By Rosenthal
Located in Dayton, OH
"Vintage Rosenthal Judaica Collection hinged Channuka menorah or candelabra. Made of brass featuring articulated stylized foliate branch arms with dolphin feet. Marked with a P trian...
Brass
Sandra Kravitz Menorah for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Menorah designed by Sandra Kravitz for Germany-based Rosenthal specifically for the Judaica Collection. It is made of mixed metals - brass candleholders and a sterling silve...
Sterling Silver, Brass
Porcelain Candlestick Rosenthal, Germany
By Rosenthal
Located in Chorzów, PL
Rosenthal 3-arm candlestick. Dimensions: height 12.5 cm / width 14.5 cm / depth 13.5 cm Very good condition.
Porcelain