Dorothy Hafner for Rosenthal, “Flash” Vase Duo, Germany, 1980s
A rare and striking duo of Dorothy Hafner’s celebrated *“Flash”* vases for Rosenthal, dating from the spirited design revolution of the 1980s. Comprising one vase at 23 cm and one at 19 cm, this pair showcases two dynamic variations of Hafner’s iconic pattern — an exhilarating symphony of geometric forms and electric color, unmistakably infused with the ethos of the Memphis Group.
**Design Provenance**
The *“Flash”* series, introduced in 1982, stands as a landmark collaboration between the American ceramist and graphic artist Dorothy Hafner and the venerable German porcelain house Rosenthal. Hafner, then at the vanguard of postmodern design, brought to porcelain the riotous energy and playful irreverence that defined the Memphis aesthetic. Her work deftly marries Rosenthal’s precision craftsmanship with an exuberant, almost musical approach to form and ornament.
**About the Artist**
Dorothy Hafner (b. 1952) emerged as a distinctive voice in the world of late 20th-century design, first through ceramics and later through glass art. Her collaborations with Rosenthal and Tiffany & Co. elevated everyday objects into vibrant declarations of individuality. With over a dozen critically acclaimed collections, Hafner's designs encapsulate the zeitgeist of an era that sought to dismantle the monochrome seriousness of modernism in favor of joyous experimentation.
**Specifications**
- **Dimensions:** 1 vase at 23 cm (9 in) height; 1 vase at 19 cm (7.5 in) height
- **Materials:** Fine porcelain, transfer-printed with polychrome decoration
- **Marks:** Each piece marked “Rosenthal studio-linie, Germany”
- **Condition:** Excellent vintage condition; minimal signs of use consistent with age
- **Provenance:** Private European collection
**Why Collect This Duo?**
Not merely decorative, these vases are touchstones of a pivotal moment in design history. Their angular silhouettes and kaleidoscopic surfaces channel the spirit of a generation that traded rationalism for radical joy. Hafner’s *“Flash”* line rarely surfaces in such pristine condition, and this complementary pair, offering both scale and variation, constitutes a highly desirable acquisition for collectors of postmodern design, Memphis memorabilia, or Rosenthal rarities.
**Final Thought**
In a world newly rediscovering the exuberance of the 1980s, Dorothy Hafner’s *“Flash”* vases feel not like relics, but like heralds — celebrating a vision of design that is unapologetically vibrant, spirited, and beautifully alive.
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Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsMulti ColorMaterialPorcelainNumber of items2BrandRosenthalHeight23 cmWidth9 cmDepth9 cm