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Rosenthal Studio-Line “Baobab” XL Vase Duo Emmanuel Babled France/Italy 1990s
€549Bid from €449
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Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 23 sales
Product description
Rosenthal Studio-Line “Baobab” Vase Duo – Design by Emmanuel Babled, Germany, 1997
A sculptural black-and-white porcelain pairing in glossy finish · Heights 25 cm & 37 cm
A striking two-vase ensemble from Rosenthal’s renowned Studio-Line, designed by Emmanuel Babled as part of his celebrated Baobab series. Produced in Germany in the late 1990s, these pieces exemplify Rosenthal’s continued commitment to experimental, sculptural porcelain at the intersection of design, architecture, and organic form.
This pairing consists of two Baobab vases in contrasting scale and colour:
– one compact, glossy black vase (25 cm), grounded and concentrated in volume
– one monumental glossy white vase (37 cm), tall and quietly architectural
Together, they form a dialogue of weight and elevation, darkness and light—true to the conceptual logic of the series.
Design & Concept
The Baobab series takes its name from the iconic African tree, long associated with endurance, balance, and sculptural presence. Babled translates this imagery into porcelain through softly pinched waists, swelling volumes, and gently flaring openings, evoking natural growth rather than rigid geometry.
Despite their biomorphic character, the vases remain rigorously controlled in proportion. The glossy glaze enhances the purity of form, allowing light to glide uninterrupted across the surface. There is no applied ornament: volume itself becomes the decorative language.
The Two Vases
Black Baobab Vase
Height: 25 cm
Upper opening diameter: approx. 10.5 cm
Finish: glossy black porcelain
Marked Rosenthal Studio-Line
Dated: 1997
Condition: Very good vintage condition
White Baobab Vase – Model 4161/36
Height: 37 cm
Finish: glossy white porcelain
Marked Rosenthal Studio-Line
With original Rosenthal box
Condition: excellent vintage condition
About the Designer – Emmanuel Babled
Emmanuel Babled (born 1967) is a French designer trained in Milan, whose practice spans furniture, lighting, glass, and porcelain. His work is often described as “slow design”—objects distilled to essential gestures, where technological precision meets emotional softness.
Babled has collaborated with major international manufacturers including Venini, Baccarat, and Rosenthal. His works are represented in institutional collections such as the Victoria & Albert Museum (London) and the Centre Pompidou (Paris). The Baobab series is considered one of his most poetic porcelain projects.
About Rosenthal Studio-Line
Founded as an experimental platform under Philip Rosenthal in the 1960s, **Rosenthal Studio-Line became synonymous with progressive design and artistic collaboration. By the 1990s, it continued to serve as a space where contemporary designers like Babled could explore sculptural form beyond functional convention.
Condition
Both vases are in excellent condition.
No chips, cracks, or restorations.
Surfaces retain full gloss and clarity.
Any minimal traces of age are consistent with careful storage.
Collector’s Note
While Baobab vases appear individually on the market, finding a coherent black-and-white pairing in two complementary scales is increasingly uncommon. This duo offers strong curatorial flexibility: displayed together, they read as a composed sculptural statement; displayed separately, each retains autonomous presence.
General Information
Please explore our profile for more curated Rosenthal Studio-Line pieces and modernist porcelain.
International buyers: import duties or taxes, if applicable, are the buyer’s responsibility.
All items are photographed and described with care. Vintage pieces may show minimal traces of age; any significant flaws will be clearly mentioned.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsWhiteMaterialPorcelainNumber of items2BrandRosenthalHeight37 cmWidth15 cmDepth15 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 23 sales