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.
Postmodern German Nostro Leather Chair by Andreas Weber for Rosenthal, 1980s
By Rosenthal
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern German Nostro Leather Chair by Andreas Weber for Rosenthal Einrichtung, 1980er An impressive chair by Rosenthal, based on a design by Andreas Weber from the 1980s. The ...
Leather, Ash
1970, Verner Panton, 1-2-3 Serie Office Chair, Original Panton Fabric by Kvadrat
By Rosenthal, Verner Panton
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible ...
Metal, Chrome
$9,500 / set
H 35 in W 20 in D 20.5 in
Postmodern Sculptural Steel Brown Leather French Pair of Chairs, 1980s, France
By Maria Pergay
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural steel brown leather French pair chairs, 1980s, France These are very rare leather and steel chairs form France. From the Maria Pergay, Michel Boyer Era. The leather is in...
Steel
$452 / item
H 31.1 in W 18.3 in D 16 in
Postmodern 1980s Flex 2000 Stacking Chairs by Gerd Lange for Thonet, Beech Wood
By Gerd Lange, Thonet
Located in Basel, BS
Excellent Flex 2000 Stacking Chair by Gerd Lange for Thonet, with wooden oak frames and black seats. No longer produced, Rare items. NOTE: We have up to 32 chairs available!! Let us know if you need more-- we can arrange. This listing is for one chair, and you can purchase up to 32! Please let us know how many chairs you would like to purchase, and we can combine shipping for you. Designed by Gerd Lange in 1983, manufactured in Western-Germany. The legs are made of solid ashwood, the frame is made of ashwood bentwood and veneered beech struts. The seat and back consists of original black painted PVC material. Incredible space savers-- stackable! Dimensions 18.3ʺW × 16ʺD × 31.1ʺH International Shipping details...
PVC, Ash, Beech
Sold|$859
H 25.6 in W 25.6 in D 25.6 in
Postmodern Italian Tubular Chrome and Black Leather Armchair, 1980s
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
A bold and sculptural armchair from the 1980s, most likely made in Italy, with a heavy frame of thick chrome-plated steel tube, a round seat upholstered in black leather and a curved...
Steel, Chrome
$4,160 / set
H 30.71 in W 21.26 in D 20.08 in
Postmodern ‘Tacchi' set of 8 Chairs by Toshiyuki Kita for AIDEC, Japan, 1980s
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Postmodern ‘Tacchi' set of 8 Chairs by Toshiyuki Kita for AIDEC, Japan, 1980s
Metal
$3,151
H 33.86 in W 24.41 in D 35.44 in
Verner Panton Original "Relaxer 2" Rocking Chair by Rosenthal, 1970s
By Verner Panton, Rosenthal
Located in The Hague, NL
Mid-Century Modern rocking chair " Relaxer II " by famous Danish designer Verner Panton and manufactured by Rosenthal Einrichtung in Germany, 1970s. The chair is in original conditi...
Fabric, Wood
$1,134
H 36.62 in W 22.45 in D 17.72 in
Italian postmodern metal Quinta 605 chair by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian postmodern metal Quinta 605 chair by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s. Quinta 605 chair, postmodern Italian, in metal by Mario Botta for Alias 1980 Quinta 605 armchair with seat ...
Metal
$1,201
H 32.29 in W 22.45 in D 24.41 in
Verner Panton Cone Chair by Vitra, Fuchsia Fabric, Modern Design, 2013
By Verner Panton, Vitra
Located in London, England
Verner Panton flesh cone armchair in fuchsia color. He kept his beautiful original color, Verner Panton began his career as an employee of Arne Jacobsen, being a fan of bright color...
Fabric
Verner Panton Cone Chair
By Plus-Linje, Verner Panton
Located in Highland, IN
A Classic Panton design, the cone chair is petite, sculptural, playful and surprisingly comfortable. This vintage example is newly upholstered in a brick red fabric with a nice weave.
Steel
$687
H 34.26 in W 20.08 in D 22.45 in
Postmodern Cardboard Sculptural Chair, Frank Gehry Wiggle Chair Style, 1980s
By Frank Gehry, Vitra
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Postmodern 1980s whimsical sculptural chair in brown cardboard and reminiscent of Frank Gehry's Wiggle Chair. The chair is surprisingly ergonomic and comfortable. It certainly adds playful flair and amusement to your space. Condition is good vintage condition with some minimal and acceptable signs of wear. Dimensions as follows: Depth: 22.5 in (57 cm), width: 20 in (51 cm), height: 34.25 in (87 cm), seat height: 17.3 in (44 cm). Having established his own firm in Los Angeles in 1961, Gehry saw a pile of corrugated cardboard outside his office and started to experiment. Inspired by a childhood spent exploring his grandfather’s hardware shop, Gehry set about creating the Easy Edges furniture series, highlighting the strength and versatility of cardboard. “I discovered that by alternating the direction of layers of corrugations, the finished board had enough strength to support a small car...
Paper
1980s Postmodern Arc Chairs, a Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful chairs in excellent condition. These would be lovely in a living room or bedroom. Chairs are in excellent condition but upholstery is original. No tears or stains.
Upholstery
$1,352
H 28.75 in W 18.71 in D 18.9 in
Postmodern Blue Vintage Chair by Philippe Starck 1980s for Kartell Italy
By Philippe Starck
Located in Vienna, AT
Postmodern light blue vintage chair was designed by Philippe Starck in the 1980s and executed by Kartell Italy. The chair shows grey lacquered tube ...
Plastic
430 Chair in Beige by Verner Panton
By Verpan, Verner Panton
Located in Horsens, DK
Fully upholstered stacking chair with black painted metal frame and felt feet. It is the Nanna Ditzel designed fabric, Hallingdal from Kva...
Metal
Sold
H 31.5 in W 17.72 in D 21.26 in
Pair of Rare Swing Chairs Jutta and Herbert Ohl for Rosenthal Studio Linie, 1982
By Jutta and Herbert Ohl, Rosenthal
Located in München, DE
Pair of very rare red swing chairs by Jutta and Herbert Ohl. From Rosenthal Studio Line. Designed 1982. Made in Germany. The cantilever chairs are made of red painted spring steel. In 1982 the designer couple Herbert and Jutta Ohl...
Metal
Sunball by Selldorf & Rijs for Rosenthal, 1960s Ball Outdoor Lounge Chair
By Ris and Selldorf, Rosenthal
Located in Telgte, DE
Sunball by Selldorf & Rijs for Rosenthal, 1960s ball outdoor lounge chair The SUNBALL is a design icon, created for stylish lounging. Herbert Selldorf and Günther F. Ris created ...
Fabric, Fiberglass
Jutta & Herbert Ohl Swing chair Rosenthal Lübke, Germany, 1982
By Herbert Ohl, Rosenthal
Located in London, GB
Contour heaven. Swing chair designed by Jutta & Herbert Ohl for Rosenthal Lübke, Germany 1982. Cantilevered design, powder-coated steel.
Metal
Sold
H 43.51 in W 17.13 in D 17.72 in
German Limited Edition Screen Chair by Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal, 1970s
By Bjørn Wiinblad, Rosenthal
Located in Telgte, DE
German limited edition screen chair by Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal.
Wood
Simon Desanta "Flying Carpet" Chair for Rosenthal Einrichtung
By Simon Desanta, Rosenthal
Located in Miami, FL
Flying carpet chair with removable blue cloth fabric and black steel base by Simon Desanta for Rosenthal Einrichtung.
Steel