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Marcello Morandini and Rosenthal 

from vase collections to architectural projects

Marcello Morandini is one of the most influential designers with whom Rosenthal has worked since 1979. His black and white, geometric patterns can be found in Rosenthal vases, chess pieces and architectural projects. With works such as the Italian Journey collection or the façade design of the Rosenthal factory in Selb, he brought an avant-garde, mathematically precise aesthetic to the brand's design.

Born in 1940 in Mantua, Italy, Morandini studied in Milan and founded his own studio in 1962. He gained international recognition through exhibitions in Venice and New York. His work combines art, architecture and design in a unique, constructivist design vocabulary.

Profile of Marcello Morandini

Year of birth: 1940 in Mantua, Italy

Education: Studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera, Milan

Profession: Architect, designer, artist

Design philosophy: Morandini combines art, architecture and design in a strictly geometric, black and white design vocabulary. His work is influenced by Concrete Art and Constructivism and uses mathematical principles to create visual dynamics and spatial depth.

Influence on Rosenthal: Morandini's avant-garde designs have shaped Rosenthal's design since 1979. He brought a minimalist, graphically precise aesthetic to porcelain production and designed not only objects but also architectural elements for the company.

Important works for Rosenthal:

  • Arcus and Movimento vase objects
  • Italian Journey collection (2014) with Tempo dell'arte vase series and Tempo dell'amore wall clock
  • Morandini chess set (together with Bjørn Wiinblad)
  • Facade designs for Rosenthal:
  • 1986: Thomas am Kulm plant, Speichersdorf
  • 1987: Head office (Spiegelhaus) in Selb

Legacy: Morandini's works for Rosenthal are iconic examples of the fusion of art and design. His designs stand for a timeless, intellectually sophisticated aesthetic that continues to fascinate collectors and design lovers to this day. His geometric compositions and his influence on the brand's architecture remain an important part of Rosenthal's history.

Potrait of designers Marcello Morandini

Artistic and design principles

Morandini's work is characterized by a consistent reduction to black and white, clear lines and mathematically precise structures. Inspired by Concrete Art and Constructivism, he plays with two- and three-dimensional forms that develop new spatial effects through movement, perspective and optical illusions. His works are not only aesthetically sophisticated, but are also based on a deep understanding of architecture and design.

In his designs in particular, he combines functionality with artistic expression. By deliberately avoiding colour, he enhances the perception of form, light and shadow. This approach makes his works unique and timeless, which is also reflected in his work for Rosenthal.

Collaboration with Rosenthal

Since 1979, Marcello Morandini has shaped the Rosenthal product portfolio with his characteristic geometric aesthetic. In addition to iconic vases and limited edition art objects, he also designed architectural elements for the company. 

Early collaborations since 1979

The collaboration between Marcello Morandini and Rosenthal began in 1979 with the development of limited art series and design objects. His early works for the company include the Arcus and Movimento vase objects, which perfectly embody his geometric design vocabulary.

Architectural projects for Rosenthal

In addition to his work in product design, Morandini also applied his artistic vision to Rosenthal's architecture:

  • In 1986, he designed the 220-meter-long façade of the Thomas am Kulm plant in Speichersdorf. The clear, structural design picks up on his typical black and white pattern and makes the building an impressive architectural statement.
  • In 1987, he designed the façade of the new Rosenthal head office building in Selb, the so-called Spiegelhaus. This building exemplifies Morandini's approach of understanding architecture as an art form and realizing geometric concepts on a large scale.


fassade desgined by Morandini

Italian Journey collection (2014)

The Rosenthal Italian Journey collection presented in 2014 was an outstanding design project. The series includes vases and a wall clock that combine architecture, art and design in a clear design vocabulary.

  • Tempo dell'arte vase series
  • 31 cm high porcelain vases in five different designs
  • Strict geometric patterns in black and white
  • Limited edition: 99 pieces per design
  • Versatile use as an art or utility object
  • Tempo dell'amore wall clock
  • 38 cm diameter, equipped with a quartz movement made in Germany
  • Overlapping spherical motif in black and white that creates movement and depth
  • Limited to 99 pieces

This collection shows Morandini's unmistakable signature and is highly valued by collectors and design enthusiasts.

Tempo dell'amore wall clock designed by Morandini

Morandini chess set together with Bjørn Wiinblad

A special design object was created in 2003 in collaboration with the Danish artist Bjørn Wiinblad: a set of two contrasting chess sets. While Wiinblad is known for playful, figurative shapes, Morandini focuses on clear, abstract geometry.

Morandini's chess pieces are made of unglazed porcelain and are characterized by modernist, geometric shapes. They form a harmonious semicircle on the board.

  • Limited editions:
  • 99 copies of Morandini's chess set
  • 99 copies of Wiinblad's chess set
  • 29 pieces of the special edition Morandini vs. Wiinblad on a neutral porcelain board, based on an idea by Philip Rosenthal

This project underlines Morandini's ability to translate classic concepts such as the chess set into a completely new, design-oriented design vocabulary.

chessboard designed by Morandini and Wiinblad in front of grey background

Significance and reception of the collaboration between Rosenthal and Morandini

With his avant-garde aesthetics, Marcello Morandini had a decisive influence on Rosenthal's design. His minimalist geometric designs offered an exciting contrast to the often colourful and organic designs of other artists with whom Rosenthal collaborated.

His work was appreciated by design critics and collectors alike. Not least the limited edition of his objects made them coveted collector's items. The architectural projects for Rosenthal also helped to further position the company as a culturally and artistically ambitious brand.

Morandini's legacy

With his characteristic design language, Marcello Morandini has made a significant contribution to Rosenthal's artistic heritage. His work impressively demonstrates how geometry, mathematics and design can merge into a harmonious, timeless aesthetic.

The long-standing collaboration between Morandini and Rosenthal is an outstanding example of how industrial design and art can go hand in hand. Whether as a designer, architect or artist, Morandini's influence on the Rosenthal brand will continue to be felt in the future.

Rosenthal designer encyclopaedia

Overview of all designers

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