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Rosenthal Studio Line Glossy Porcelaine Noire SPIRIT Vase & Ashtray Platt & Young
€270
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Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 20 sales
Product description
Rosenthal Studio-Line “Spirit” Set – Vase & Ashtray Duo in Glossy Porcelain
Designed by Robin Platt & Cairn Young for the “Free Spirit” Collection, Germany, ca. 1999
A compelling dialogue in contrast, curvature, and contemporary elegance—this design duo from Rosenthal’s celebrated Studio-Line offers a bold take on minimalism at the threshold of the 21st century. Conceived by the award-winning British team of Robin Platt and Cairn Young, this set comprises a sculptural black porcelain vase and a matching white ashtray: a chromatic inversion, united by form.
Both pieces were created for Rosenthal’s Free Spirit collection circa 1999, a series that redefined domestic objects through the lens of biomorphic abstraction and post-Memphis reductionism. What results is a pairing that feels as intuitive as it is architectural—formally experimental, yet effortless in function.
Set Includes:
“Spirit” Vase (Form 14212)
High-gloss black porcelain
Height: 22 cm · Length: 18.5 cm · Width: 8.5 cm
Circular Ashtray
High-gloss white porcelain
Diameter: 15 cm
Manufacturer: Rosenthal Studio-Line, Germany
Designers: Robin Platt & Cairn Young
Material: Glazed porcelain
Color Palette: Black (vase) & white (ashtray)
Markings: Each piece bears the Rosenthal Studio-Line stamp and the printed designer signatures
Condition: Excellent vintage condition with minimal signs of wear. No cracks, chips, or repairs.
Design Background & Aesthetic Value
The vase’s Y-shaped profile—somewhere between a sprouting branch and a futuristic funnel—reflects Platt & Young’s commitment to a language of soft modernism. Its visual tension is resolved by the cool counterpoint of the ashtray: circular, crisp, and serene. While the vase emphasizes movement and volume, the ashtray offers stillness and balance.
Platt & Young’s approach embraced technology, sensuality, and tactility—qualities that allowed Rosenthal to stake out new territory in the late 1990s, moving beyond Bauhaus orthodoxy into post-industrial emotional design.
About the Designers
Robin Platt (b. 1963), trained at the London College of Furniture, received the Gordon Russell Trust Award (1988) and was named “New Designer of the Year” by Blueprint magazine (1989).
Cairn Young, a graduate of the Central School of Art and Kingston University, joined Platt in 1991, forming a creative partnership that spanned tableware, furniture, and spatial design.
Their work for Rosenthal was not only commercially successful but critically acclaimed—examples from this series are held by the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Why Collect This Set?
This “Spirit” pairing exemplifies Rosenthal’s Studio-Line at its most experimental and refined. It captures a moment when design was becoming sculptural, and when everyday objects were reimagined as curated forms.
Whether used as a centerpiece, a functional design accent, or part of a contemporary porcelain collection, this duo is a conversation in form, material, and time. Highly collectible, highly distinctive—and increasingly rare in pristine condition.
Note: Due to their harmonious geometry and visual contrast, these two objects are best displayed together to fully appreciate the interplay between light and shadow, gloss and silhouette.
Shipping & Terms
Packaging: Expertly packed with care to ensure safe arrival
Shipping: Worldwide shipping available; please contact in advance for precise rates if you are outside the EU
Customs & Import Duties: Responsibility of the buyer
Returns: Not accepted; all sales are final
GENERAL INFORMATION
Questions Welcome: Feel free to message with any questions prior to purchase.
Combined Shipping: Possible when buying multiple items; please inquire before purchasing.
Item Descriptions:
All listings are carefully described and photographed in detail.
Vintage/pre-owned items may show slight wear consistent with age or use.
Any significant flaws (chips, cracks, etc.) will be clearly noted and shown in photos.
Naturally occurring production marks or light surface scratches may be present.
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Legal Disclaimer: This is a private sale. No returns, refunds, or warranties apply under §13 BGB.
By making a purchase, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.
Specifications
ConditionExcellentColorsWhiteMaterialPorcelainNumber of items2BrandRosenthalHeight22 cmWidth18 cmDepth8 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 20 sales