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.
Privé" secrétaire by Jürgen Lange for Rosenthal Germany 1987
By Rosenthal, Jürgen Lange
Located in Renens, CH
"Privé" writing desk or secrétaire by Jürgen Lange for Rosenthal Germany 1987. This is an extremely well thought and crafted desk. While standing on a small footprint it offers amaz...
Wood, Fruitwood
Rhomboid Post-Modern Marcello Morandini "Corner" Shelves, Rosenthal, Pair
By Marcello Morandini, Rosenthal
Located in Miami, FL
Rhomboid Post-Modern Marcello Morandini "Corner" Shelves, Pair Offered for sale is a tall companion pair of vintage 1980s Post-modern "Corner" shelves designed by Marcello Morandini...
Ash, Lacquer
$238
H 42.33 in W 19.1 in D 13.55 in
Vintage 4 Tier Freestanding Corner Whatnot Shelves Bookcase Display Stand
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Here we have for sale this vintage 4 tier freestanding corner Whatnot bookcase, shelves, display stand. Perfect for the corner of any room to stand book...
Bamboo, Pine
$1,400
H 74 in W 32 in D 11 in
Post Modern Space Age Plastic Shelves by Olaf Von Bohr for Kartell c. 1970's
By Olaf von Bohr, Kartell
Located in New York, NY
Space Age, Postmodern plastic shelf unit, designed by Olaf Von Bohr for Kartell, made in Italy circa 1970's. This example is in very good, original, clean and ready to use condition,...
Plastic
$6,328Sale Price|20% Off
H 66.15 in W 38.19 in D 18.9 in
Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire, Antique Desk from Germany, Circa 1830
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This stunning Biedermeier secretary desk is an authentic antique piece crafted from walnut wood, both inside and out. Dating back to the early 19th century, this masterpiece showcase...
Pine, Walnut
$3,243
H 47.64 in W 40.95 in D 18.12 in
Rosewood Secretaire / Desk by Erling Torvits for Klim Møbelfabrik 1960s
By Erling Torvits, Klim Møbelfabrik
Located in Lejre, DK
Rosewood secretaire designed by Erling Torvits and manufactured by Klim Møbelfabrik in the 1960s. The cabinet features three large drawers, a fold-down writing surface and an upper s...
Rosewood
$56,800
H 64.5 in W 41.75 in D 20.25 in
Antique German Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherrywood & Burlwood, 1820
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique German Biedermeier tall secretaire with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Cherrywood and Burlwood, in good condition. The ...
Metal, Brass
Biedermeier Cherrywood Secretaire, Germany, circa 1825
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
A fine German Biedermeier secretaire dating to circa 1825, distinguished by its elegant architectural form and beautifully preserved period cherrywood veneer. The restrained design ...
Cherry, Pine
$9,860Sale Price|24% Off
H 57.09 in W 36.23 in D 16.93 in
Early 19th Century South German Biedermeier Secretaire in Walnut
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Elegant Biedermeier secretaire crafted in South Germany around 1820. The piece combines solid walnut and walnut veneer with a striking mirrored grain on the façade. The interior is m...
Brass
Vintage Teak Secretaire by Nils Jonsson, 1960s
By Nils Jonsson
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
A beautiful teak secretary designed by renowned Swedish designer Nils Jonsson from the 1960s. This elegant piece showcases exquisite craftsmanship with finely detailed woodwork and r...
Teak
$3,780 / item
H 9 in W 36 in D 10 in
Contemporary Minimal Sculptural Metal Copper Corner Shelves, USA, in Stock
By Felicia Ferrone
Located in Chicago, IL
This contemporary sculptural single copper metal minimal corner shelf is perfect for any space be it a living room, office, or bathroom. In stock: These Minimalist copper shelves,...
Copper
$3,800 / set
H 80 in W 35 in D 13.5 in
Lovely Pair of Floating Aluminum and Glass Shelves Etagere Mid-century Modern
By Milo Baughman
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Lovely pair of chunky aluminum and glass floating shelves-etageres. These are hung directly on the wall and can be used together or separately. The chunky aluminum frames have acqu...
Aluminum
$3,495 / set
H 74.25 in W 31 in D 15 in
Pair of Vintage Organic Modern Rattan Etagere Shelves With Braided Arch Detail
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A striking pair of vintage Coastal rattan etagere bookshelves, restored and ready to stun in any space. These tall beauties feature arched tops, intricately braided trim, and richly ...
Wicker, Rattan
Cees Braakman for Pastoe "P5" Jacaranda Wood Secretaire
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cees Braakman for Pastoe Jacaranda wood secretaire with drop down desk or dry bar and light with original wiring. Lightly refinished exterior ...
Metal
Handcrafted Wicker Shelves, Organic Modern Design
Located in Oxford, GB
Scupltural wicker shelves that transform your retail space. Handcrafted with organic, flowing shapes, these lightweight displays add artful, natural elagance to highlight high value ...
Wicker
$14,893
H 66.54 in W 39.77 in D 20.87 in
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire Desk with Secret Compartment
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Berlin Biedermeier secretary in mahogany Berlin Mahogany a.o. around 1825 Dimensions: H x W x D: 169 x 101 x 53 cm Description: When closed, this piece of furniture presen...
Mahogany, Maple
Pair of Small Giltwood Shelves
Located in London, GB
These lovely shelf units are made from giltwood and shaped in a decorative triangular form design. Each shelf measures 9 ½ in – 24 cm wide, 7 ½ in – 19 cm high and 4 ½ in – 11.5 cm i...
Giltwood
Sold
H 84.65 in W 29.53 in D 19.69 in
Set of Geometric "Mobile" Bookcases by Marcello Morandini for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Marcello Morandini
Located in Renens, CH
Set of geometric "Mobile" bookcases by Marcello Morandini for Rosenthal in black lacquered wood. The green "mobile", has a succession of triangular external shelves with green lac...
Wood