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Rosenthal Desks and Writing Tables

German

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.

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Creator: Rosenthal
Talete Dining Table by Rosenthal, Black Glass & Ash, Modern Design, 1970s
Talete Dining Table by Rosenthal, Black Glass & Ash, Modern Design, 1970s

Talete Dining Table by Rosenthal, Black Glass & Ash, Modern Design, 1970s

$5,950

Talete Dining Table by Rosenthal, Black Glass & Ash, Modern Design, 1970s

By Rosenthal

Located in Dronten, NL

A rare and architecturally refined Talete dining table designed by Gabriele Regondi and Pierluigi Ghianda for Rosenthal. This model exemplifies the designers’ synthesis of structural...

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1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Rosenthal Desks and Writing Tables

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Stained Glass, Ash

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Rosenthal desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Rosenthal desks and writing tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Rosenthal desks and writing tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks and writing tables by Rosenthal were created in the mid-century modern style in germany during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks and writing tables by and Marcel Breuer. Prices for Rosenthal desks and writing tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,578 and can go as high as $5,650, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,810.

Questions About Rosenthal Desks and Writing Tables

  • Who owns Rosenthal china?

    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Sambonet Paderno Industrie S.p.A. owns Rosenthal china as of January 2022. The Italian company purchased the porcelain manufacturer in 2009. Philipp Rosenthal founded Rosenthal in 1879 in Selb, Bavaria, Germany. You'll find a variety of Rosenthal china on 1stDibs.

  • How do I identify Rosenthal crystal?

    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    To identify Rosenthal crystal, look for one of the company's maker's marks. The German crystal manufacturer changed their hallmark many times over the years, so you can use an authoritative online reference to determine an approximate manufacturing date. On 1stDibs, find a selection of expertly vetted Rosenthal crystal.

  • Where is Rosenthal porcelain made?

    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Rosenthal porcelain is made in factories in Selb and Speichersdorf, Germany. Notably, the head of the Bauhaus school, Walter Gropius, designed the factory in Selb. Philipp Rosenthal founded Rosenthal in 1879. On 1stDibs, you can find a selection of Rosenthal porcelain.

  • Is Rosenthal china still being made?

    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, Rosenthal china is still being produced. Rosenthal was founded in 1979 in Germany with a passion for innovation and design with high-quality materials and hand-painted designs. Shop a collection of authentic Rosenthal goods on 1stDibs.