60 years of Studio-Line
60 years ago, Rosenthal stirred up the porcelain industry – with avantgarde designs by artists, designers and architects.
Now we celebrate the studio-line with a limited anniversary collection and transport 60 iconic vases with twelve contemporary colors into the here and now.
Design
history
made
in
germany
THE REINVENTION OF PORCELAIN
Like no other porcelain manufacturer, Rosenthal stands for the combination of form, function, craftsmanship and technical know-how. This corporate strategy is thanks to Philip Rosenthal, the son of the company founder. With his far-sighted sense of the market, he invented the new look of porcelain, from which the studio-line collections have been created since 1961.
Long before design is on everyone’s lips, Rosenthal works with contemporary designers and promotes young talent. The Upper Franconian porcelain factory is becoming an international company that works across disciplines – at that time a radical break with traditional porcelain design.
The studio-line has produced timeless designs that became design icons of the 20th century, such as the art objects of Andy Warhol, Victor Vasarely and Otto Piene. Also unforgettable are the sets TAC by Walter Gropius (1969), Suomi by Timo Sarpaneva (1976), Moon by Jasper Morrison (1997) and Landscape by Patricia Urquiola (2008) – still today design highlights in the Rosenthal range. More than 150 artists, designers and architects have designed for studio-line since the early 1960s, including Tapio Wirkkala, Ettore Sottsass, Marcel Wanders and Konstantin Grcic. Rosenthal’s willingness to experiment is also demonstrated by the current collection, which features objects by Sebastian Herkner and BIG. Especially beautiful: porcelain from Rosenthal is made in Germany. It is manufactured in Selb and Speichersdorf in modern production facilities under the most sustainable conditions possible.
SIXTY&TWELVE 60 YEARS OF ROSENTHAL STUDIO-LINE ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION
60 selected vases in twelve different colors reflect an extraordinary journey through time in Rosenthal’s design history and, at the same time, pick up on future trends in their redesign. The limited edition alternates between restrained shades of grey, pastel green and blue as well as intense berry tones with sonorous names like Midnight, Sea Salt, Mint and Cameo. Among the illustrious birthday celebrations are Rosenthal classics such as Martin Freyer’s Plissée (1968), Tapio Wirkkala’s Pollo (1970), Michele De Lucchi’s Conio (1994), Cédric Ragot’s Fast (2006) and Fondale from the Office for Product Design (2017).
The concept of colour limitation
60 selected vases, twelve unique shades: the anniversary collection is "colour limited". This means that each of the 60 vases is initially produced in only one shade and is limited to 60 pieces worldwide in this colour. When a vase/colour combination is sold out, the vase is produced in another of the twelve anniversary colours. This new combination is then again limited to 60 pieces.
The shapes are as varied as the colors: they range from pure, architectural volumes to lush, floral objects. The restrained tones of the palette correspond with the strictly geometric vase shapes, while the intense colors merge with the poetically playful objects. The artistic design icons are made from a through-dyed porcelain mass specially developed by Rosenthal, which requires unique technical skills and craftsmanship and thus manifests the strong innovative power of Rosenthal in dealing with the valuable material porcelain.
ALL GOOD THINGS COME IN THREES: »HOP« BY SEBASTIAN HERKNER
One of the stars of the international design scene is represented by three vases in the anniversary collection: Sebastian Herkner. The existing designs Collana (2014) and Falda (2014), now in color, are joined by another extravagant object: Hop. It stands out due to its asymmetrically stacked rings, which are reminiscent of Michelin men or sculptures by Tony Cragg, as the designer with an affinity for art says. As a collector’s item in the anniversary edition in the color cameo, Hop also reflects the essence of the studio-line: timeless, artistic design with character and sophisticated production
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The 1960s
In the 1960s and 1970s, Germany becomes more modern and liberal. The Beatles write rock history, the Ford Taunus conquers the streets. The new face of Rosenthal design determined Scandinavian design from the late 1950s onwards. This is especially true for the Finn Tapio Wirkkala and the Dane Björn Wiinblad. At the same time, Rosenthal expands its product range to include glass and cutlery, thus creating the so-called "triad" of modern table culture. The range of objects is expressively characterised by the most varied interpretations of surfaces, concisely combined with structures that are close to nature. Predominantly strict geometric forms create a charming contrast to this.
The 1970s
While the Scandinavian designers continue to dominate the laid table with unique designs that are to remain important pillars of the Rosenthal studio-line for many decades to come, the structural, clean design style of the vases is expanding to include more object-like and formally independent design.
The 1980s
The 80s were a time of joie de vivre, but above all the decade of political upheaval and the fall of the Berlin Wall. In the 1980s, Rosenthal worked mainly with leading Italian architects, who introduced a new, geometrically influenced phase, which is reflected both on the laid table and in the gift sector. As a contrast, the American Dorothy Hafner took up strong elements of Pop Art and thus captured the spirit of the times.
The 1990s
Reunification turned two separate parts of the country into one Germany. The new media, the Internet and mobile phones are on the rise. At Rosenthal, the collaboration with the British designer Jasper Morrison is of great importance during this period, representing the new simplicity and from which – with Dining Collection Moon – a modern classic will emerge. In return, the Italian designer Enzo Mari and the designer duo Robin Platt and Cairn Young are shaping the Rosenthal studio-line at the end of the millennium with imaginative design ideas and are placing this decade of individualists under the motto of figurative and playful design with a strong character.
The 2000s
"Crossover" culture, "cocooning", sharing is the order of the day. The world meets at home. As the stage for a new, boundless table culture, the table is once again moving into the centre of a personal way of life. "We have the need for closeness and the exchange of experiences and creative ideas in the family and among friends," is how trend researcher Li Edelkoort describes the attitude to life that continues to set decisive trends today. In its pioneering role, Rosenthal is responding to this with developments that are characterised by expressive and modern design, as well as with groundbreaking concepts that correspond to this modern table culture. The combinability of the different service parts is the innovation that is oriented towards the long term and allows for a constantly changing table presentation.
The 2010s
The advent of digitalisation in the formal and production-related development of porcelain objects is also becoming a groundbreaking revolution. The use of completely new computer programs and production techniques enables the design and manufacture of objects with incomparable aesthetics.
The 2020s
Futuristic, avant-garde designs by internationally successful designers and the masterful combination of digitally based creative processes with excellent craftsmanship: Rosenthal rings in the new decade with confidence and a twinkle in its eye and, in its anniversary year, underlines the essence of the studio-line with the "Hop" vase by design star Sebastian Herkner: timeless, artistic design with character, sophisticated in its production.
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Available here and at selected retailers
Rosenthal Porcelain Collections
Rosenthal has stood for innovation and design, quality, sophisticated craftsmanship and perfect porcelain for over 140 years. In cooperation with designers, artists and architects, such as Walter Gropius, Raymond Loewy, Patricia Urquiola or Christophe de la Fontaine unusual, timeless and modern collections of porcelain have been produced for households and gastronomy that express an individual and exclusive table culture. Glasses, sets of cutlery, pots, kitchen helpers, furniture and accessories complement the fascinating world of products in the Living and Gifts sectors. Our products are found at specialist retailers in Germany and in more than 105 countries throughout the world.
Discover our entire range of well-designed cups, glasses, plates and sets of cutlery to match every occasion at the Rosenthal online shop, too. From a glamorous wedding to a relaxing BBQ evening or a stylish Christmas present, our brands Rosenthal, Rosenthal meets Versace, Thomas, Hutschenreuther and Sambonet offer tasteful and trend-conscious products that suit your lifestyle.
Let our products inspire you to take joy in the process of giving presents to your loved ones and to make your own home more beautiful.
