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.
Large 23cm OP Art Vase Porcelain Vase by Martin Freyer for Rosenthal, Germany
By Rosenthal, Martin Freyer
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: OP Art Porcelain vase Producer: Rosenthal, Germany Designer: Martin Freyer Decade: 1970s This original vintage OP Art vase was produced in the 1970s in Germa...
Glass
Floral Porcelain Vase by Rosenthal
By Rosemonde Nairac, Rosenthal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Urn shape floral motive porcelain vase by Rosenthal.
Porcelain
White Ceramic Vase by Rosenthal, 1960s
By Rosenthal
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Signature of the manufacture beneath the base. Very good condition.
Ceramic
Set of 2 Abstract porcelain Vases by Cuno Fischer for Rosenthal, Germany, 1980s
By Rosenthal
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Op Art porcelain vase set of 2 Producer: Rosenthal, Germany Designer: Cuno Fischer Decade: 1980s Set of two graphic, modernist porcelain vases...
Porcelain
Vase Tapio Wirkkala & Dorothy Hafner for Rosenthal Studio, New Wave Series 1980s
By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage vase for flowers in textured glazed porcelain by Rosenthal, Century New Wave Series, c.1980s. This work of Postmodern design captures collaboration of American and Finnish ...
Porcelain
Rosenthal Cylinder Lead Crystal Glass Vase Vessel Diagonal Base Mid-Century
By Rosenthal
Located in Miami, FL
Striking original Rosenthal Space Age Lead crystal glass cylinder vase, vessel with diagonal base, made in Germany. It will look amazing on top o...
Crystal
Satin Porcelain Vase Duo by Fritz von Stockmayer for Rosenthal, Germany, 1940s
By Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Fritz von Stockmayer grey satin porcelain vase duo for Rosenthal, Germany, late 1940s. This refined pair of Rosenthal porcelain vases shows Stockmayer’s elegant approach to hand-pain...
Porcelain
Rosenthal Paper bag vase by Tapio Wirkkala , 1970’s
By Rosenthal
Located in Delft, NL
Dimensions: 10,5 cm H, 6,5cm W, 6cm D Condition: Mint Material: Porcelain
Porcelain
Large OP Art Vase Porcelain German Vase by Martin Freyer for Rosenthal 1970s No2
By Martin Freyer, Rosenthal
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: OP Art Porcelain vase Producer: Rosenthal, Germany Designer: Martin Freyer Decade: 1970s This original vintage OP Art vase was produc...
Porcelain
$937Sale Price|25% Off
Ambrogio Pozzi for Rosenthal Studio-Line, Austria, White Porcelain Vase
By Rosenthal, Ambrogio Pozzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ambrogio Pozzi for Rosenthal Studio-Line, Austria, white porcelain vase.
Ceramic, Porcelain
Vase Model 2646 by Beate Kuhn for Rosenthal, 1950s
By Beate Kuhn, Rosenthal
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Beathe Kuhn (1927-2015) was a German ceramist and ceramic sculptor. She designed asymmetrical porcelain vases for the Rosenthal AG porcelain manufactory between 1953 and 1957. Her wo...
Porcelain
Cuno Fischer Black Matte Vase Abstract Glyphs Rosenthal Studio Line
By Cuno Fischer, Rosenthal
Located in Saint Paul, MN
Raised abstract glyphs decorate this slender vase by Cuno Fischer for Rosenthal. A perfect addition to your Cuno Fischer collection or alongside Georges Jouve and other modernist cer...
Porcelain
Tapio Wirkkala Porcelaine Noire Vase and Ashtray, Rosenthal, 1960s
By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Berlin, DE
Pairing of Tapio Wirkkala’s Model 7156 vase and coordinating ashtray in black Porcelaine Noire for Rosenthal Studio-Line. Rounded glossy bodies contrast with finely ringed matte surf...
Porcelain, Bisque
Martin Freyer Plissée and Cascade Bisque Porcelain Vases, Rosenthal, 1972
By Martin Freyer, Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of white bisque porcelain vases designed by Martin Freyer for Rosenthal Studio-Line. The tall “Plissée” vase has a finely pleated surface, while the lower “Cascade” vase feature...
Porcelain, Bisque
$140Sale Price|20% Off
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
Rare Rosenthal Martin Freyer white ceramic vase , 1960’s
By Rosenthal
Located in Delft, NL
Rare Rosenthal Martin Freyer white ceramic vase , 1960’s
Porcelain
Large Porcelain Golden Art Studio Vase by Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large porcelain golden Art Studio Line vase by Rosenthal. Signature stamp on bottom.
Porcelain
A Pair of Porcelain Decorative Vases, Germany by Rosenthal, 1910 - 1922
By Rosenthal
Located in Rīga, LV
A pair of porcelain decorative vases, Rosenthal, Germany, 1910 - 1922 Additional Information: Materials: Porcelain, gilding, underglaze hand painting Vintage from the 1910s Art...
Porcelain
Porcelain Decorative Vase w/ a Portrait of Georgiana Cavendish by Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in Rīga, LV
Porcelain decorative vase with a portrait of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, Rosenthal, Germany, 1898 - 1906 Additional Information: Materials: Porcelain, gilding, un...
Porcelain
Rosenthal Op Art Bisque Porcelain Floor Vase, Martin Freyer, Germany, 1960s-70s
By Martin Freyer, Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Large floor vase in fine white bisque porcelain by Martin Freyer for Rosenthal Studio-Line, Germany, late 1960s to early 1970s. The surface is worked in a raised geometric relief tha...
Porcelain
Rosenthal Eosin Vase & Bowl Trio, Johan van Loon, Helmut Drexler, Germany, 1990s
By Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Three porcelain forms by Dutch designer Johan van Loon, finished in Helmut Drexler's satin multicolour Eosin decor, for Rosenthal Studio Linie, Germany, 1990s. The set comprises a bo...
Porcelain
Rosenthal Eosin Porcelain Vase Pair by Van Loon and Drexler, 1993-1994
By Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Rosenthal Eosin porcelain vase pair designed by Johan van Loon, with iridescent decoration by Helmut Drexler, Germany, 1993-1994. The two Rosenthal Studio-Line vases combine two size...
Porcelain
Rosenthal White Bisque Porcelain Vase Trio by Schreib, Freyer and Uhl
By Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of three matte white bisque porcelain vases by Werner Schreib, Martin Freyer and Werner Uhl for Rosenthal, produced in Germany during the 1970s. Each designer approaches the sur...
Porcelain
Windmill Turquoise Porcelain Vase Duo by Jan van der Vaart for Rosenthal, 1988
By Jan van der Vaart, Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of glossy turquoise porcelain vases from the “Windmill” series, designed by Dutch ceramic artist Jan van der Vaart for Rosenthal Studio-Line in 1988. The set comprises two rela...
Porcelain
White ceramic vase, Rosenthal White ceramic vase, Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in Milano, Lombardia
White ceramic vase produced by Rosenthal in the seventies. The design, characterized by organic shapes and a white sandy surface, expresses the formal research conducted by Rosenthal...
Ceramic
Hans Theo Baumann Rosenthal Model 1703 Yellow Porcelain Vase Set, 1964
By Hans Theo Baumann, Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
A set of three Rosenthal porcelain vases designed by Hans Theo Baumann in 1964. Model 1703 combines tall, tapering forms with glossy yellow porcelain and dense black geometric decora...
Porcelain
Hans Theo Baumann Rosenthal Porcelain Vase Pair in Turquoise and Purple, 1964
By Hans Theo Baumann, Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of Rosenthal Studio-Line porcelain vases designed by Hans Theo Baumann in 1964. The related bottle forms are finished in glossy turquoise and violet purple, with a crisp black...
Porcelain
Pair of Achim Haigis Surface White Bisque Porcelain Vases for Rosenthal, 2007
By Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
A complementary pair of matte white bisque porcelain vases from the Surface collection, designed by Achim Haigis for Rosenthal Studio-Line circa 2007. Sharing the same faceted design...
Porcelain
Rosenthal Phi City Matte White Bisque Porcelain Vase by Cairn Young, 2019
By Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Designed by British designer Cairn Young for Rosenthal, the Phi City vase is a large contemporary porcelain piece defined by an intricate surface of interlocking cubic forms. Introdu...
Porcelain
Tapio Wirkkala Rosenthal Studio-Line Black and White Porcelain Vase Pair
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Curated pair of black and white porcelain vases designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio-Line. The pairing brings together two periods of production: a black vase from the 198...
Porcelain
Rosenthal White Porcelain Vase Pair by Platt & Young and Michael Boehm
By Michael Boehm, Rosenthal, Platt & Young
Located in Berlin, DE
Curated pair of white glazed porcelain vases by Rosenthal, combining the flowing “Spirit” form by Robin Platt and Cairn Young with the slender, angular “Debut” form by Michael Boehm....
Porcelain
Martin Freyer White Bisque Porcelain Relief Vase Pair for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Martin Freyer
Located in Berlin, DE
Curated pair of matte white bisque porcelain vases designed by Martin Freyer for Rosenthal Studio-Line, combining the tall model 3080/38 with the lower one 3080/20. Both vases featu...
Porcelain
Martin Freyer Kaskade Black Bisque Porcelain Vase for Rosenthal, 1970s
By Martin Freyer, Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Matte black Kaskade vase designed by Martin Freyer for Rosenthal Studio-Line. Kaskade is German for “cascade,” referring to the flowing vertical ridges that descend across its asymme...
Porcelain
Rosenthal Century New Wave Porcelain Vase and Bowl by Wirkkala and Hafner, 1980s
By Dorothy Hafner, Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Berlin, DE
Rosenthal Studio-Line porcelain vase and bowl from the Century: New Wave series, combining Tapio Wirkkala’s Century forms with Dorothy Hafner’s New Wave decoration. Wirkkala designe...
Porcelain
$1,079Sale Price|35% Off
Dror Benshertrit for Rosenthal Germany, Vases of Phases Silver Porcelain Vase.
By Dror Benshetrit, Rosenthal
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare Silver edition of the Vases of Phases, 10.5". Vases of Phases symbolizes the experience of changes in life for the artist Dror Benshertrit. Accordingly, his development of th...
Porcelain
19th Century Hand Painted Portrait Cabinet Vase by Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An elegant porcelain portrait vase by Rosenthal. The portrait of The Countess of Devonshire, on an aubergine background with all over hand applied gilt decoration. The top with a r...
Porcelain
Vintage "Pastorale" Ceramic Vase by Ambrogio Pozzi, Rosenthal Studio Line, 1960s
By HAP Grieshaber 1, Ambrogio Pozzi, Rosenthal
Located in Roma, IT
This Pastorale ceramic vase is a wonderful porcelain decorative object designed by the Italian ceramic master and designer Ambrogio Pozzi (Varese, 1931). The xylographic decor was realized by the German artist HAP Grieshaber...
Ceramic
Natale Sapone Bewegung Porcelain Vase (limited 69 of 400) for Rosenthal, 1971
By Natale Sapone, Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Natale Sapone “Bewegung” porcelain vase for Rosenthal Studio-Line, created in Germany in 1971 as a signed limited edition of 400. This example is model 2825 and numbered 69 of 400. I...
Porcelain
20th Century German White Porcelain Square Vase Painted Rosenthal Studio-Linie
By Dorothy Hafner, Rosenthal
Located in Rockaway, NJ
20th century German white square porcelain vase painted Rosenthal Studio-linie.
Ceramic, Porcelain
Gianni Versace "Medusa" Vase for Rosenthal Porcelain
By Rosenthal, Gianni Versace
Located in Miami, FL
Gianni Versace "Medusa" Vase for Rosenthal Porcelain Offered for sale is the iconic Versace Medusa porcelain vase for Rosenthal. The opulent gold Versace patterns surround the base...
Porcelain
Martin Freyer AZU White Bisque Porcelain Vase for Rosenthal, 1970s
By Martin Freyer, Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Martin Freyer Azu bisque porcelain vase for Rosenthal Studio-Line, made in Germany in the 1970s. The broad bottle form is wrapped in horizontal ridges interrupted by irregular raised...
Porcelain
Werner Schreib Model 3052 Bisque Porcelain Floor Vase for Rosenthal, 1960s
By Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Monumental white bisque porcelain floor vase designed by Werner Schreib for Rosenthal Studio-Line in the 1960s. Model 3052 has a tall cylindrical form covered in dense vertical relie...
Porcelain
Large Square Boat Shape Artist Decorated & Signed Vase by Rosenthal, Germany
By Rosenthal
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Beautiful porcelain Mid-Century Modern artist signed & decorated vase by Rosenthal.
Porcelain
Martin Freyer Op Art Fossil Relief Bisque Porcelain Vase for Rosenthal, 1970s
By Martin Freyer, Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
A matte white bisque porcelain vase designed by Martin Freyer for Rosenthal Studio-Line. The broad, flattened body is centred by a circular Fossil relief, surrounded by a finely text...
Porcelain, Bisque
Postmodern Memphis Style Vase by Thomas, Rosenthal, Germany, 1980s
By Rosenthal, Thomas
Located in Osnabrück, NDS
A very rare and extraordinary Postmodern Vase by Thomas Porzellan, Atelier Collection, a Division of Rosenthal. Made in Germany in the 1980s this obj...
Porcelain
Set of Five Black Rosenthal Vases, Studio-Line, Circa 1980
By Paul Dresler, Rosenthal, Elsa Fischer-Treyden
Located in London, GB
Set of five black Rosenthal porcelain vases marked Studio-line designed. Four are by Helmut Dresler (1927-2016), hand painted three in sliver geometric chequer design and one a V motif. One is by Elisa Fisher-Treyden (1901-1995). They all have a black gloss and mat surface and have an oval opening and a rectangular form. Helmut Dresler's works are in the State Museum for Porcelain in Selb-Plößberg...
Porcelain
Rare Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal jar container storage pot, 1970’s
By Rosenthal
Located in Delft, NL
Rare Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal jar container storage pot, 1970’s Dimensions: 15cm H, 10cm diameter Condition: Mint
Porcelain
Art Nouveau Shell Vase With Nymph, Max Hiller for Rosenthal, Kronach, 1898-1900
By Rosenthal
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent Art Nouveau Vase: Green-blue-grey marbled body in the shape of an upright sea snail with a four-pointed base and surrounding seaweed relief, with a sculptural Art Nouveau b...
Porcelain
Tall White Porcelain Vase Duo by Hans Theo Baumann and Erich Wilhelm John for Ro
By Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Tall sculptural porcelain vase duo produced by Rosenthal, Germany, with designs by Hans Theo Baumann and Erich Wilhelm John, 1960s. Both vases are executed in matte white porcelain ...
Porcelain
Large Tapio Wirkalla Rosenthal Germany white porcelain circa 1950 vase.
By Rosenthal
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Tapio Wirkkala ROSENTHAL germany white circa 1950 porcelain vase.
Porcelain
Martin Freyer, Vase series "Galsstruktur," prod. Rosenthal 1970s
By Martin Freyer, Rosenthal
Located in Rivoli, IT
Brutality glass vase produced by Rosethal, Glasstruktur series designed by Martin Freyer in the 1970s. The collection embodies the essence of the Brutalist art movement and is striki...
Glass
Tapio Wirkkala Rosenthal germany black pair circa 1950 porcelain vases.
By Rosenthal
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Tapio Wirkkala ROSENTHAL germany black pair in porcelain circa 1950 vases.
Porcelain