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.
Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Tableware Dinner Service, Denmark 1961
By Royal Copenhagen
Located in Delft, NL
Royal Copenhagen porcelain tableware dinner service, Denmark 1961 A Royal Copenhagen porcelain dinner service with pattern number 595, the floral golden basket Flowers in the ce...
Porcelain
A 20th century Meissen porcelain set, Germany
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Delft, NL
A 20th century Meissen porcelain set, Germany A porcelain set, manufactured by Meissen in Germany. The set painted with bright colors, red, blue, yellow and green in floral pattern....
Porcelain
Arabia, Finland 1960s dinner service "Crownband"
By Arabia of Finland
Located in Delft, NL
Arabia, Finland 1960s dinner service "Crownband" This dinner set is made in Finland by Arabia, 1960s. Arabia, established in 1873. This set with the Crownband pattern in blue, grayish, yellow and brown lines on the edge on a light blue underground. The set consists of the following. * 19 x of plates of 24 cm diagonal * 2 x lidded tureens ( soup) * 2 x lidded tureens * 14 x plates with 19,3 cm diagonal (deep) * 14 x soup plates of 24 cm diagonal * 12 x small plates of 14,5 cm diagonal * 20 x plates of 19,5 cm diagonal * 5 x soup bowl with saucers * 2 x small bowls on foot * 9 x cups and saucers * 2 x egg cups * 2 x gravy boats * 2 x round large bowls of 25,5 cm diagonal * 1 x oval bowl of 36 cm wide * 8 x cups raised on a foot * 1x Coffee pot * 1 x large milk / water or orange jug * 1 x mini...
Pottery
Art Deco dinner service by Sorau Carstens Germany 1920
Located in Delft, NL
Art Deco dinner service by Sorau Carstens Germany 1920 An Art Deco dinner service made by Sorau Carstens, Germany with gold accents and black and white stripes ( handles and edges) ...
Porcelain
Herend Porcelain Rothschild Pattern Serving Set
By Herend
Located in Delft, NL
A Herend porcelain Rothschild pattern serving set A Herend porcelain Rothschild pattern serving set, consisting of 8 plates of 15 cm diagonal (5....
Porcelain
Royal Albert porcelain set "Old Country Roses" 1960s
By Royal Albert
Located in Delft, NL
Royal Albert porcelain set "Old Country Roses" 1960s The famous pattern "Old Country Roses" porcelain by Royal Albert, England Marked underneath eac...
Porcelain
"Marie Louise" Plate Service Royal Albert Manufacture England 20th century
By Royal Albert
Located in Milano, IT
Servizio di piatti modello Marie Louise composto da zuppiera, salsiera, 6 piatti da portata, 21 piani, 12 fondine, 10 da frutta. Totale dei pezzi 51. Manufacture mark under the base.
Porcelain
Mid-Century Romanze Porcelain Dinner Service by Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal
By Bjørn Wiinblad, Rosenthal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine, near complete Mid-Century modern porcelain dinner service. By Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal. In the Romanze form and Medley pattern. Consisting of: 10 Large Dinner Plates ...
Porcelain
Fürstenberg West Germany Porcelain Service from the 1950s-1960s
Located in Opole, PL
We present you a diner-coffee service for 12 people with a signature of the Fürstenberg West Germany manufactury from the 1950s/1960s. The ...
Porcelain
Large Dinnerware Set by Luneville, France, circa 1930
Located in New York, NY
This impressive classical porcelain set from Lunéville embodies the elegance and tradition of vintage French tableware. Renowned for its graceful shapes and charming floral motifs, e...
Porcelain
Quinta Nova 43-Piece Floral Porcelain Dinnerware Set, Portugal, 1960s
By Vista Alegre
Located in Valladolid, ES
Gorgeous porcelain tableware from the Portuguese firm Quinta Nova, renowned for its fine porcelain. Its meticulously painted floral design combines warm tones of orange and green on a pearly white background, evoking a romantic yet contemporary touch. The edges of the pieces feature a wavy shape with a fine gold trim, enhancing their decorative character. The floral ornamentation, with intertwined branches and flowers in full bloom, recalls 19th-century botanical motifs, inspired by Rococo art and Victorian design. The balance between the gold details and the softness of the floral brushstrokes make this tableware ideal for a more classic decor style or a more modern setting. Stamped on the base of each piece. Quinta Nova Porcelain, now Vista Alegre Quinta Nova Porcelain was a Portuguese brand...
Porcelain
Rosenthal White Maria porcelain service, Germany.
By Rosenthal
Located in Chorzów, PL
Porcelain service Maria had by Rosenthal. Dimensions: 6 pcs cup - height 6.5 cm / dia. 9.5 cm Plates 6 pcs. - dia. 14.5 cm cm Stand 6 pcs. - dia. 9.5 cm Jug: height 20 cm / widt...
Porcelain
