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.
Andy Warhol porcelain coasters by Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Andy Warhol
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
4 Beautiful coloured coasters in their original boxes and sleeves. This decor with berries is quite rare.
Porcelain
$220Sale Price|20% Off
Porcelain Coffee Espresso Cup Saucer Rosenthal White Gold, Early 20th Century
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful German white porcelain and gold gilt coffee espresso or tea demitasse cup and saucer by Rosenthal, circa early-20th century, Germa...
Porcelain
$200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Four "Berlin" Square Base Juice Glasses by G. Butler Jensen for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice of four mid-century Studio Line "Berlin" pattern square base juice glasses by George Butler Jensen for Rosenthal, circa 1960s. The clear cylindrical glasses sit on a square s...
Crystal
$220Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Four "Berlin" Square Base Beer Glasses by G. Butler Jensen for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice of four mid-century Studio Line "Berlin" pattern square base beer glasses by George Butler Jensen for Rosenthal, circa 1960s. The clear cylindrical glasses sit on a square sm...
Crystal
$280Sale Price / set|20% Off
1980s Rosenthal Crystal Champagne Glasses Coupe Bjorn Wiinblad
By Rosenthal
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1980s Rosenthal Crystal Champagne Glasses Coupe Bjorn Wiinblad Set of two glasses 6 h x 3.5 diameter Preowned vintage condition unrestored. Refer to images.
Art Glass
$895 / set
Rosenthal Modern Swirl Glasses
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
1970s modern swirl set of 18 glasses by Rosenthal Studio. Measure: medium glasses height 5.5 diameter 3.25 small glasses height 4.75, diameter 3.5.
Glass
Set of 12 Clarion Wine Glasses signed Rosenthal by Sigrid Hartmann-Reelitz
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
A striking set of 12 Mid-Century Modernist wine glasses, expertly crafted and signed by the esteemed German brand Rosenthal, circa 1980. From the Clarion collection, these glasses sh...
Glass
Midcentury Modern Champagne Glasses, Mid 20th Century
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of crystal Champagne flute glasses, Midcetury Modern design period, by Rosenthal Studio-Line, circa Mid-20th century, Germany. A beautiful pair with original labels....
Crystal
German Crystal Cocktail or Aperitif Glasses Rosenthal Studio-Line, Set of 5
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of five (5) Rosenthal Studio-Line German crystal cocktail or aperitif glasses, circa mid-20th century, Germany. Beautiful crystal barware glassware and a great addition to any bar, bar cart, etc. Each with maker's mark "Rosenthal", "Studio-Line", as shown in last image. Dimensions: 6.88" Height. German liquor...
Crystal
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
German White Porcelain Serving or Vanity Tray by Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
A German white porcelain serving (or vanity) tray with hand-painted floral design and gold detail, circa mid to late-20th century, Germany. Tray is oblong/octagonal and can serve cui...
Porcelain
Crystal Wine/ Champagne Glasses Vintage Peill Glasses, Germany
Located in Bastogne, BE
Beautiful Vintage set of 6 crystal wine/champagne glasses. Produced in Germany, by the famous manufacturer Peill Glasses, in the 70- 80s. Colorless cut 24% Lead Crystal Wine...
Crystal
$487Sale Price / set|47% Off
H 7.13 in W 2.19 in D 2.19 in
Gold Highball Cocktail Glasses, Midcentury Modern Design Style, Set of 5
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of five (5) highball cocktail glasses with etched design and gold dot detail, in the Midcentury Modern design style. Glasses are tall, tapered, etched, and with decor...
Gold
$435 / set
H 5.52 in Dm 3.94 in
fferrone Set of 2 Contemporary Margot Champagne Coupe Glasses Handcrafted Czech
By Felicia Ferrone
Located in Chicago, IL
Margot champagne coupe, set of two The Margot champagne glass coupe is a contemporary glassware set which is handcrafted without the use of molds, made one by one by master craftsme...
Glass
$380 / set
H 5.52 in Dm 3.94 in
Pair of Czech Contemporary May Champagne Coupe Glasses Handmade, in Stock
By Felicia Ferrone
Located in Chicago, IL
May champagne coupe glasses, set of two A pair of Czech contemporary glass handcrafted is the perfect modern champagne glass. The May Collec...
Glass
$380 / set
H 6.3 in Dm 3.15 in
fferrone Set of 2 Czech Clear Contemporary Rasori Large Highball Beer Glasses
By Felicia Ferrone
Located in Chicago, IL
Rasori large highball glasses - set of two. As the designer's favorite street in Milan, her home away from home, the clear Czech contemporary Rasori Large glasses are a playful an...
Glass
$325 / set
H 6.7 in Dm 3.35 in
fferrone Set of 2 of Czech Clear Contemporary Mixed Large Water Beer Glasses
By Felicia Ferrone
Located in Chicago, IL
Mixed large glass - set of two With a special technique, the Mixed Collection combines two types of glass to create this modern collection. Retro yet contemporary it is perfect for...
Glass
$360 / set
H 1.97 in Dm 3.15 in
Meissen, Blue Onion. Four porcelain espresso cups with saucers. Early 20th C.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Meissen Blue Onion Pattern, four espresso cups with matching saucers. Set consisting of four espresso cups with matching saucers in the classic Blue Onion pattern (Zwiebelmuster). Tw...
Porcelain
Rosenthal Porcelain Coffee Cup And Saucer Demitasse Black And Gold 1940
By Rosenthal
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Rosenthal Porcelain Tea Cup or Coffee Cup And Saucer Demitasse Black And Gold Art Nouveau Venetian Style. Rare antique porcelain go...
Porcelain
Mid-Century Modern Atomic Period Highball Glasses with Gold Starbursts
Located in Nantucket, MA
Eight Mid-Century Modern highball glasses in an atomic pattern with open rectangles, some vertical and some horizontal and of various sizes in black enamel, each with a 22k gold star...
Glass
Bimini Martini Cocktail Glasses with Animals- Set of Four
By Bimini Glass
Located in Downingtown, PA
Frozen Poetry: Bimini Martini Glasses with Whimsical Animals A remarkable set of four Bimini footed martini cocktail glasses, dating from circa...
Blown Glass
$420 / set
H 2.75 in Dm 4.13 in
Collection 6 Espresso Coffee Cup and Saucer Art Porcelain Rosenthal Studio Line
By Rosenthal
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Collection of Six Rosenthal Studio Line Art Porcelain Espresso Cups and Saucers, Germany, circa 1980s A beautiful and rare collection of six porcelain espresso cups and saucers from ...
Porcelain
$895
H 0.25 in W 4 in D 4 in
Vintage PIero Fornasetti Chariot Coasters, Porcelain &Gold Set of 8 Barware 60's
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
These vintage hallmarked Piero Fornasetti coasters are porcelain with gold. They are of the Roman Chariot design. Marked Fornasetti MIlano Made In Ita...
Gold
Rosenthal Linear Smoke Wine Glasses - Set of 4
By Rosenthal
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 4 Mid Century wine glasses from "Linear Smoke" line by Rosenthal, produced between 1963 to 1982. Clear cylindrical tops contrast nicely with the smoke glass stems and square...
Glass
Rosenthal Fortuna Champagne Coupes by Elsa Fischer-Treyden - Set of 4
By Elsa Fischer-Treyden, Rosenthal
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 4 mid century coupe glasses made in Germany by Rosenthal. Made in the "Fortuna Smoke" pattern, designed by Elsa Fischer-Treyden and produced betwen 1963 to 1969. Each piece ...
Glass
Rosenthal Fortuna Champagne Coupes by Elsa Fischer-Treyden - Set of 5
By Elsa Fischer-Treyden, Rosenthal
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 5 mid century coupe glasses made in Germany by Rosenthal. Made in the "Fortuna Smoke" pattern, designed by Elsa Fischer-Treyden and produced betwen 1963 to 1969. Each piece ...
Glass
Sold
H 10 in W 3 in D 3 in
Vintage Maitre Rosenthal Crystal Burgundy, White Wine Glasses Barware Set of 24
By Rosenthal
Located in North Miami, FL
This elegant, modernist and vintage Rosenthal set of 24 hand blown lead crystal white wine and red wine glasses are made in Germany and from the 80's. It is called the Maitre pattern...
Crystal
Sold
H 13.78 in W 1.58 in D 1.58 in
Charming Vintage Champagne Goblets On Long Leg, Set 6 Rosenthal Germany
By Rosenthal
Located in Bastogne, BE
Designed by Rosenthal Studio Line, the unique sculpted stemmed crystal glasses make sipping a sparkling drink even more special. Peerless crystal glasses will fill the interior of y...
Crystal
Sold
H 7.09 in Dm 2.37 in
Rosenthal Crystal Wine Glasses, Germany Mid-Century Modern Set 6 Wine Goblets
By Rosenthal
Located in Bastogne, BE
Beautiful vintage crystal goblet / glass with fancy bases by German manufacturer Rosenthal, set 6. 1980s. The vintage set consists of six Classic wine glasses made of durable etching crystal. Products are equipped with high legs and are designed for serving wine. They combine elegant design and functionality. A set of wine glasses...
Crystal
Set of Four Rare Rosenthal Studio-Line Champagne Flutes by Michael Boehm
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
These gorgeous special edition handblown glass flutes are designed by Michael Boehm for Rosenthal. They are a modernist stylized abstract design and very...
Glass
Large Set 62 Pcs Fortuna Rosenthal Stemware
By Elsa Fischer-Treyden, Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
Incredible 62 piece set of Fortuna glasses, designed by Elsa Fischer - Treyden for Rosenthal, circa 1960's. It would be hard to find a more chic set of drinking glasses...
Glass, Art Glass
Sold
H 2.75 in Dm 5 in
Signed Porcelain Set of Six Coasters '& Vessel' by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
This stunning signed coaster set was realized by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal in Germany, during the latter half of the 20th century. It features six coasters as well as a lidded bowl/ vessel to hold them. The plates offer a white porcelain body with raised and subtly channeled edges as well as rectilinear 24kt gold circumscribing the white center of each. The lidded bowl/ container reiterates this rectilinear gold detailing, and similarly has channel detailing running down the sides of the body. With its clean modernist lines and refined color palate, this set would be a winning addition to any style of interior from classic Mid Century Modern to contemporary. The lidded bowl is signed "Rosenthal design: Tapio Wirkkala Studio...
Gold
Versace Rosenthal Crystal Medusa Wine Bottle Stopper
By Versace, Versace Home Collection, Rosenthal
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Etched carved pale rose/pink crystal wine decanter stopper by Versace for Rosenthal. Iconic Versace Medusa head on both sides of stopper. Original black and gold Greek key motif box....
Crystal
Sold
H 0.75 in W 4.25 in D 4.25 in
Versace for Rosenthal Medusa Lumiere Amber Crystal Coaster Limited Edition
By Versace, Rosenthal
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Amber orange "Lumiere" crystal Features signature medusa head and Greek key logos shaped in clear 3D crystal Can be used as a coaster or shallow ashtray Made by Rosenthal of Germa...
Crystal
Versace and Rosenthal Purple Amethyst Crystal Medusa Bottle Stopper
By Rosenthal, Versace
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A unique and decorative stopper by two design powerhouses, Versace and Rosenthal - a lovely addition to the bar.
Crystal