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Rosenthal Studio-Line Op Art Porcelain XL 43cm Floor Vase by Hans Martin Freyer – Germany, 1960s–1970s
€720€599-17%Bid from €499
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Private sellerBerlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 27 sales
Product description
Rosenthal Studio-Line Op Art Porcelain Vase by Hans Martin Freyer – Germany, 1960s–1970s
A striking example of German Op Art design, this sculptural porcelain vase was designed by Hans Martin Freyer for Rosenthal Studio-Line during the late 1960s to early 1970s. Combining optical illusion with the refined craftsmanship for which Rosenthal is renowned, the vase exemplifies an era when design sought to challenge perception and transform everyday objects into artistic experiences.
The elongated form is animated by a rhythmic relief decoration that shifts and changes as light moves across its surface. Characteristic of the Op Art movement, the composition creates a dynamic visual effect, inviting the viewer into a subtle optical dance of lines, shadows, and changing perspectives.
Executed in fine white porcelain, the vase demonstrates Freyer's ability to merge geometric experimentation with elegant simplicity. Its tall proportions and restrained palette allow the relief structure itself to become the primary decorative element, producing an object that feels both graphic and sculptural.
Standing an impressive 43 cm high, the vase possesses a commanding architectural presence and functions equally well as a vessel or as a standalone sculptural object.
Designer
Hans Martin Freyer (1909–1975) was a German painter, graphic designer, and industrial designer whose extraordinarily diverse career spanned architecture, stage design, graphic arts, and product design. He studied at the Technische Universität Darmstadt, the Universität der Künste Berlin, and the renowned Reimann School.
From 1937 to 1938, Freyer worked in the United States as a landscape architect, interior designer, and stage designer. Upon returning to Germany, he designed the iconic Volkswagen logo and later worked extensively for opera houses, cabaret stages, and theatres.
Throughout his career, Freyer created designs for wallpapers, textiles, decorative materials, and metalwork. Between 1964 and 1974 he collaborated with Rosenthal, producing some of the company's most innovative relief decorations for porcelain and glass within the celebrated Studio-Line collection.
Manufacturer
Founded in 1879, Rosenthal became one of the world's leading porcelain manufacturers through its combination of exceptional craftsmanship and progressive design collaborations. Under Philip Rosenthal's direction, the company partnered with leading artists and designers, transforming porcelain into a medium for contemporary artistic expression.
Design Details
Designer: Hans Martin Freyer (1909–1975)
Manufacturer: Rosenthal Studio-Line
Origin: Germany
Period: 1960s–1970s
Material: Porcelain
Decoration: Relief Op Art decoration
Colour: White
Style: Op Art / Mid-Century Modern
Dimensions
Height: 43 cm
Width: 14 cm
Depth: 10 cm
Condition
Very good vintage condition with an attractive age-related patina. Minor traces of time and light wear consistent with the careful use of a decorative object. No significant damage observed.
Why This Piece Stands Out
• Designed by renowned German artist and designer Hans Martin Freyer
• Exceptional example of Op Art translated into porcelain
• Produced by Rosenthal Studio-Line during its most innovative period
• Dynamic relief decoration creating changing optical effects
• Elegant architectural proportions with strong sculptural presence
• A significant example of German mid-century design
• Equally compelling as a vase and as a standalone art object
• Ideal for collectors of Op Art, Rosenthal, and modernist ceramics
This vase perfectly captures the spirit of the late 1960s and early 1970s, when artists and designers explored new ways of engaging perception through geometry and illusion. Through his collaboration with Rosenthal, Hans Martin Freyer created objects that remain remarkably contemporary—where visual experimentation and masterful craftsmanship meet in timeless form.
General Information
Please explore our profile for more vintage vases!
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.
INFO International buyers are welcome! Check out my profile for much more retro vases. Questions are welcome and will be answered ASAP Please contact me for exact delivery costs in advance if you're outside the EU I try to describe all the items as accurately and as honestly as possible, and I always include photos of the actual items. There can be naturally occurring manufacturer's defects, slight surface scratching, or wear consistent with normal use. Any condition outside normal vintage wear, like chips or cracks or serious defaults, will be noted and/or clearly visible on the photos. For multiple purchases, please contact me before committing to buy, to make sure the items can be sent in the same parcel. Most importantly: this is a transaction between a private seller and a private buyer of secondhand items, so no refunds or returns are accepted, nor any claims of guarantee or similar services, according to law.
INFO International buyers are welcome! Check out my profile for much more retro vases. Questions are welcome and will be answered ASAP Please contact me for exact delivery costs in advance if you're outside the EU I try to describe all the items as accurately and as honestly as possible, and I always include photos of the actual items. There can be naturally occurring manufacturer's defects, slight surface scratching, or wear consistent with normal use. Any condition outside normal vintage wear, like chips or cracks or serious defaults, will be noted and/or clearly visible on the photos. For multiple purchases, please contact me before committing to buy, to make sure the items can be sent in the same parcel. Most importantly: this is a transaction between a private seller and a private buyer of secondhand items, so no refunds or returns are accepted, nor any claims of guarantee or similar services, according to law.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsWhiteMaterialPorcelainNumber of items1BrandRosenthalHeight43 cmWidth14 cmDepth10 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Private sellerBerlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 27 sales