Rosenthal Studio-Line – Floral Porcelain Vase & Lidded Box
Design: Alain Le Foll (decor) · Tapio Wirkkala (form)
Germany, 1983–1984
Presented here is a refined two-piece set from Rosenthal Studio-Line, combining a porcelain vase and a matching lidded box. The collaboration brings together the poetic botanical imagery of Alain Le Foll with the calm, architectural vessel forms developed by Tapio Wirkkala—a meeting of illustration and structure characteristic of Rosenthal’s most cultivated 1980s productions.
Design & Aesthetics
The decoration unfolds as a lyrical waterside landscape: stylised reeds, lotus leaves, and blossoms rendered in muted yet expressive tones—soft greens, ochres, lilac, and rose—outlined with confident linearity. Le Foll’s hand is unmistakable: illustrative, rhythmic, and gently narrative, evoking both Art Nouveau nature studies and contemporary graphic design.
Wirkkala’s contribution lies in the clarity of form. Both objects are reduced to clean, balanced volumes that provide a serene canvas for the decoration. The glossy white porcelain glaze enhances colour depth and lends the surfaces a luminous finish, allowing light to animate the illustrated motifs without overpowering them.
The Set
Vase (1984)
Height: approx. 18 cm
Width: approx. 12 cm
Depth: approx. 5 cm
Material: Porcelain, glossy
Decoration: Floral / botanical motif by Alain Le Foll
A sculptural yet functional vase, elegant in proportion and ideal for single stems or small arrangements, where the botanical imagery enters into a quiet dialogue with real flowers.
Lidded Box (1983)
Height: approx. 12 cm
Width / Depth: approx. 9.5 × 9.5 cm
Material: Porcelain, glossy
Decoration: Matching floral motif
Perfect as a jewellery box or intimate storage object, the box echoes the vase in scale and imagery, completing the ensemble as a coherent decorative pair.
Details
Manufacturer: Rosenthal Studio-Line
Country of origin: Germany
Years: 1983 (box) / 1984 (vase)
Material: Porcelain
Finish: Glossy
Colour palette: White ground with multicolour floral decoration
About the Designers
Alain Le Foll was one of the most influential illustrators working with European porcelain manufacturers in the late 20th century, celebrated for his poetic visual language bridging nature, fantasy, and graphic clarity.
Tapio Wirkkala, one of the giants of Scandinavian design, brought his disciplined approach to form and material to Rosenthal, ensuring that even richly decorated objects retained structural calm and timeless balance.
Why This Set Matters
A rare dual-authorship Studio-Line ensemble
Combines illustration-driven decoration with modernist vessel design
Exemplary of Rosenthal’s cultured, art-oriented 1980s production
Works equally well displayed together or used individually
Ideal for collectors of Rosenthal, Wirkkala, or poetic postmodern porcelain
Condition
Very good vintage condition.
No chips, cracks, or repairs. Light signs of age consistent with careful use.
General Information
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Questions are welcome and answered promptly.
International buyers are welcome—please contact me in advance for precise shipping costs outside the EU. Import duties or taxes, if applicable, are the buyer’s responsibility.
All items are photographed and described with care. Vintage pieces may show light wear consistent with age; any significant flaws are clearly stated and visible in the photos.
Combined shipping may be possible—please inquire before purchase.
Private sale under German law:
No returns, refunds, or warranties.
Buyer information is used solely to complete the transaction and arrange shipment.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsGold, Multi ColorMaterialPorcelainNumber of items2BrandRosenthalHeight18 cmWidth12 cmDepth5 cm