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.
1960s Rosenthal Ceramic Smoking Set: Ashtray & Lighter from Germany
By Rosenthal
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Stunning Smoking Set in Ceramic by Rosenthal. Made in Germany The table lighter works perfeclty. This smoking set is in excellent condition. Dimension : Ashtray 5,51 x 3,93 x ...
Ceramic
Table Lighter Designed by H. Drexler for Rosenthal. Germany, circa 1970
By Rosenthal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Table lighter with light grey and golden pattern. Designed by H. Drexler for Rosenthal. Made in Germany, circa 1970.
Porcelain
Art Deco Revival Translucent Channeled Curvilinear Ashtray/Bowl Signed Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Art Deco revival decorative bowl/ ashtray was realized by the esteemed German maker Rosenthal. It offers a graphic silhouette consisting of two conjoined demilune forms ...
Glass
Hans Theo Baumann for Rosenthal Olive Green, Gold and Black Vide Poche, 1960s
By Rosenthal, Hans Theo Baumann
Located in New York, NY
Stunning and rare porcelain vide poche by Hans Theo Baumann for Rosenthal. Geometric pattern on the base is punctuated with gold details, signed, see last photo. In very good vintage...
Ceramic, Porcelain
$300Sale Price|20% Off
Emilio Pucci & Hans Theo Baumann Porcelain Cig Vessel for Rosenthal Studio-Line
By Hans Theo Baumann, Rosenthal, Emilio Pucci
Located in New York, NY
A small and beautiful Hans Theo Baumann and Emilio Pucci designed porcelain vessel for Rosenthal 'Studio-Linie', Berlin, circa late 20th century, Germany. Piece is a glazed white por...
Porcelain
Midcentury Modern Porcelain Ashtray Jewelry Catchall Tapio Wirkkala Studio Line
By Tapio Wirkkala, Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
*Three (3) available, each sold separately, as per listing. German white porcelain ashtray (or catchall) in the 'variation' pattern, Midcentury Modern period, attributed to Finnish...
Porcelain
Hans Theo Baumann, Hollywood regency tuxedo set, Rosenthal Germany 1970s
By Hans Theo Baumann, Rosenthal
Located in Firenze, IT
Hollywood regency porcelain tuxedo set, Hans Theo Baumann, Rosenthal Germany 1970s porcelain Black background decorations with gold geometric motifs, bear maker's mark and designe...
Porcelain
Vide Poche Ashtray in Marble Green Color, Italy 1960
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This vide Poche, ashtray is in marble. The color is green. It has been made i, Italy circa 1960, and is in good condition.
Marble
Ceramic Dish Ashtray in Ceramic Art Deco Green Color Fishes Patern
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Art Deco ashtray or vide poche in ceramic. Green color. Made in France. Fishes Patern.
Ceramic
$672
H 2.68 in W 3.47 in D 3.08 in
Flavio Poli Murano Sommerso Triangular Art Glass Bowl / Ashtray, Red & Yellow
By Flavio Poli
Located in Barcelona, ES
Flavio Poli Seguso Faceted Decorative Bowl or Ashtray in Murano Glass Sommerso faceted Murano glass triangular ashtray. Attributed to Flavio Poli, Italy, 1950s. Red and yellow glass ...
Art Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass
Signed Marc Newson Ashtray
By Marc Newson
Located in NYC, NY
A clear smoke-colored ashtray by Marc Newson with facsimile of the artist's signature on underside.
Glass
$480
H 3.93 in W 4.33 in D 4.33 in
Flavio Poli Murano Sommerso Glass Table Lighter, Italy, 1960s Design
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960 Stunning table lighter in Murano sommerso glass by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy. The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly. Dimension: diam 4,33 x 3,93...
Murano Glass
$649
H 2.68 in W 3.47 in D 3.08 in
Flavio Poli Murano Sommerso Triangular Art Glass Bowl / Ashtray, Green & Yellow
By Flavio Poli
Located in Barcelona, ES
Green and Yellow Flavio Poli Seguso Faceted Decorative Bowl or Ashtray in Murano Glass __________________________________________________________________________- Sommerso faceted Mu...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Unavailable|$2,245
H 26.5 in Dm 12 in
Art Deco Chrome Lighted Smoker's Stand or Ashtray with Electric Lighter
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This Art Deco styled lighted smoker's stand is unsigned but presumed to have been made in the United States in the 1950s. The stand features a light at the top and base made of swirled glass of orange and cream hues to replicate alabaster which emits a warm glow when lit. The central post is also accented with a marbled and tapered, possibly alabaster cylinder which is separated by a chrome ring. The top features two removable ashtray cups and a covered tobacco canister...
Metal
$45Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 1.25 in Dm 4.5 in
Vintage White Porcelain Ashtray by Hogermann, Germany, 1980
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage pure white china ashtray. With a fresh, contemporary modern look with embossed arabesques design. Hotelporzellan, Hogermann. Made in Germany, cir...
Porcelain
Italian Murano Green Gold Art Glass Bowl Ashtray Seguso
By Archimede Seguso, Barovier&Toso
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful Italian Murano emerald green and gold controlled bubble art glass bowl or ashtray, attributed to Barovier e Toso or Seguso...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Hermes Paris, Rare French Silver Smoking Set, c 1930
By Hermès
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Refined "guilloché" smoking set for two people in silver. Contains match holders and ashtrays. Original case included. Very rare collectors piece. Hermès Each piece hallmarked, furth...
Silver
Archimede Seguso Italian Murano Glass Ashtray or Catchall
By Archimede Seguso
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Murano blue and purple opalescent Italian art glass vanity perfume bottle By Archimede Seguso Italy, Circa 1970s Measures: 1.5"W x 1.5"D x 6"H. Very good original vint...
Murano Glass
Art Deco glass ashtray, 1940
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
A 1940s Art Deco ashtray crafted from thick molded glass in a nuanced green hue. Its circular form is punctuated by faceted vertical panels, evoking a stylized flower or geometric ar...
Glass
Ashtray Match Box Case Set Cloisonné Enamel
Located in New York, NY
An enamel Cloisonné match box case and ashtray set, circa early-20th century, Asia. Set includes 1 matchbox holder, and 1 ashtray/dish/plate (for used matche...
Brass, Enamel
"La Terre, " Copper Art Deco Ashtray, France
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Rare and unusual, this copper ashtray celebrating the pottery industry in France is reminiscent of bronze and copper pieces designed by Paul Manship and other major sculptors in the 1920s and 1930s. This example, made of copper painted gold, depicts a nude potter at his wheel, surrounded by symbols of his industry, including kilns, planting pots and...
Ice cube lighter by Antonio Imperatore, Murano glass, Italy, 1970
By Cristallerie Antonio Imperatore
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb and rare ice cube lighter designed and produced by Antonio Imperatore in Italy in the 1970s. Murano glass lighter with frosted and magnifying glass effect, handcrafted by Vene...
Crystal
Bjorn Wiinblad White Porcelain Ashtray for Rosenthal, Germany, 20th Century
By Rosenthal, Bjorn Wiinblad
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Bjorn Wiinblad White Porcelain Ashtray / Bowl for Rosenthal, Germany, 20th Century.
Porcelain
Porcelain Ashtray from the Victoria Series, Rosenthal Kronach, Germany, 1949
By Rosenthal
Located in Chorzów, PL
A small ashtray made of ecru porcelain, finished with gilding on the edges and a floral bouquet motif. Signed with a mark from 1949. Very good conditio...
Porcelain
Sold
H 1.5 in W 5.75 in D 4.5 in
Versace Medusa Porcelain Catchall Tray Dish or Ashtray in Red Burgundy & Gold
By Rosenthal, Versace Home Collection, Versace
Located in New York, NY
A 'Medusa' red burgundy and gold porcelain jewelry catchall tray dish vide-poche or ashtray from luxury Masion Versace, circa late-20th century. This ...
Porcelain
Sold
H 0.75 in W 5.5 in D 3.75 in
Art Deco Revival Translucent Channeled Curvilinear Ashtray/Bowl Signed Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Art Deco revival decorative bowl/ ashtray was realized by the esteemed German maker Rosenthal. It offers a graphic silhouette consisting of two conjoined demilune forms ...
Glass
Sold
H 1.5 in W 5.75 in D 6.5 in
Signed Mid-Century Modern Glass Ashtray Dish by Natale Sapone for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
This stunning piece was created by Natale Sapone for Rosenthal- the esteemed German glass studio, circa 1980. Realized in an Art Deco revival aesthetic, ...
Art Glass
Mid-Century Modern Circular Crystal Ashtray by Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Mid-Century Modern ash tray was realized by Rosenthal- one of the world's premiere makers of crystal products- in Germany, circa 1970. IT features a circular form- a des...
Crystal
Sold
H 1.5 in W 5.75 in D 6.5 in
Signed Mid-Century Modern Glass Ashtray Dish by Natale Sapone for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
This stunning piece was created by Natale Sapone for Rosenthal- the esteemed German glass studio, circa 1980. Realized in an Art Deco revival aesthetic, ...
Art Glass