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.
$144Sale 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
$144Sale 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
Porcelain Vase by Björn Wiinblad Rosenthal Studio Line Germany, 1970
By Bjørn Wiinblad, Rosenthal
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Op Art porcelain vase Producer: Rosenthal, Germany Designer: Björn Wiinblad Decade: 1970s This original vintage Op Art vase was produ...
Porcelain
$289
H 6.7 in Dm 3.35 in
Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Porcelain Wide Mouth Vase, Western Germany, 1960s
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in Bochum, NRW
Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, Germany Wide mouthed vase in white porcelain, ribbed rim, hand painted with fine thin gold lines. Very good used condition. Dimensions: Height 17 cm [6 ...
Porcelain
$279Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.35 in Dm 3.47 in
Modernist Blue & White Porcelain Vase by Rosenthal Studio Line Germany
By Rosenthal
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This white Rosenthal Studio-Line vase features an organic, wave-like pattern in blue. The vase has a hexagonal base that opens up to a round top. The designer is unknown, but the pie...
Porcelain
$490
H 7.5 in W 3 in D 2.75 in
Rosenthal White Relief Striped Porcelain Vase by Martin Freyer, Germany, 1960s
By Rosenthal, Martin Freyer
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful white matte striped relief biscuit porcelain vase from the 1960s, designed by Martin Freyer, executed by Rosenthal, Germany. In very good condition.
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 Porcelain Flower Cylinder Vase by Wolf Bauer, Germany
By Rosenthal
Located in Barntrup, DE
A hand-painted Rosenthal porcelain vase designed by Wolf Bauer, the Studio-Linie line, Germany, 1970s-1980s. The white porcelain vase is in a cylindrical form and is adorned with br...
Porcelain
$3,000
H 7.63 in W 5.25 in D 3.25 in
ROSENTHAL - Tapio Wirkkala - Porcelain 'Paper Bag' Vase - Germany - Circa 1977
By Rosenthal, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Chatham, ON
ROSENTHAL (Manufacturer, 1879-Present) - TAPIO WIRKKALA (Designer, 1915-1985) - Mid Century pop art porcelain 'paper bag' vase (part of Rosenthal's Studio Line) - featuring a matte f...
Porcelain
Nineteen Inch Tall Rosenthal Columnar Form Porcelain Vase Germany
By Rosenthal
Located in Chicago, IL
This Rosenthal porcelain vase is classically elegant with a faceted columnar form and a satiny white glaze. The slender form and substantial height will allow for tall and dramatic f...
Porcelain
$650
H 7.75 in Dm 4.5 in
Rosenthal Porcelain Flower Vase Liguria Gilbert Portanier Studio-Linie Germany
By Rosenthal, Gilbert Portanier
Located in Miami, FL
Striking original Rosenthal porcelain hand painted flower vase Series LIGURIA designed by Gilbert Portanier and made in Germany for Studio-Linie. The vase features multi-color abstra...
Gold Leaf
$153Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.34 in Dm 3.35 in
Björn Wiinblad Vase White Porcelain Rosenthal Studio-line Germany Dove Pattern
By Bjørn Wiinblad, Rosenthal, Bjorn Wiinblad
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This Rosenthal studio-line vase is a stunning piece of design that combines matte unglazed and glossy glazed finishes to create a truly unique look. The matte area of the vase is decorated with a relief pattern of doves, which adds a touch of elegance and sophistication. The vase was designed by Bjorn Wiinblad in the 1960s and is still highly sought-after by collectors today. The matte unglazed finish gives the vase a natural, organic feel, while the glossy glazed finish adds a touch of luxury. The relief pattern of doves is a beautiful and symbolic addition to the vase, and it makes it a perfect piece for any home. This vintage Rosenthal vase...
Porcelain
$450
H 5 in W 4 in D 4 in
Ambrogio Pozzi Rosenthal White Geometric Op Art Porcelain Vase, Germany, 1980s
By Rosenthal, Ambrogio Pozzi
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful white fully glazed cone-shaped porcelain vase Plissee from the 1980s, designed by Ambrogio Pozzi in 1985, executed by Rosenthal, Germany. In excellent condition.
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
Large Porcelain Amphora, Rosenthal, Germany, 1951
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 195...
Porcelain
Gilded Amphora Rosenthal, Germany, circa 1920
By Rosenthal
Located in Chorzów, PL
Gilded amphora Rosenthal, Germany, circa 1920.
Porcelain