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Rosenthal Studio-Line Porcelain Vase “3050/34” Tapio Wirkkala, 1966 Matte White
€399Bid from €299
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Private sellerBerlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 25 sales
Product description
Rosenthal Studio-Line Porcelain Vase “3050/34” – Tapio Wirkkala, 1966
Matte White Relief Porcelain Vase, Germany
An exceptionally refined porcelain vase designed by legendary Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio-Line in 1966, model 3050/34.
Executed in matte white porcelain, this sculptural cylindrical form reflects Wirkkala’s unmistakable ability to merge Nordic restraint with tactile surface experimentation. The vase belongs to the important body of modernist porcelain created for Rosenthal during the golden decades of postwar European design, when the company collaborated with leading international artists, architects, and designers to redefine porcelain as a contemporary artistic medium.
The silhouette itself is elegantly restrained: a tall, slightly hourglass-shaped cylinder with softly flared rims that create a subtle architectural balance. What transforms the piece into a true modernist object is the extraordinary textured relief encircling the central body. Thousands of tiny raised porcelain dots form an optical and tactile field that appears almost woven, embroidered, or frost-like depending on the light.
This interplay between minimal form and richly nuanced texture is quintessential Tapio Wirkkala — a designer deeply inspired by natural structures, ice formations, geological surfaces, and the quiet complexity of Nordic landscapes.
About the Designer
Tapio Wirkkala is widely considered one of the most important Finnish designers of the 20th century. Renowned internationally for his work in glass, silver, wood, and porcelain, Wirkkala helped define Scandinavian modernism through an approach that combined organic inspiration with rigorous formal reduction.
His collaborations with Rosenthal Studio-Line during the 1960s and 1970s produced some of the company’s most sophisticated porcelain objects, many of which are now considered icons of European modernist design.
Unlike more decorative porcelain traditions, Wirkkala’s works often operate through subtlety: texture instead of ornament, rhythm instead of illustration, and material presence instead of excess.
Design & Materiality
The vase’s matte porcelain surface softens the interaction of light and emphasizes the remarkable tactile quality of the relief decoration. The central textured zone creates a quiet Op Art–like vibration while remaining deeply elegant and restrained.
Its elongated proportions make it particularly effective:
– as a standalone sculptural object,
– with single branches or minimalist floral arrangements,
– or within curated monochromatic interiors.
The design resonates beautifully with:
– Scandinavian modernism,
– Japandi interiors,
– Minimalism,
– Wabi-sabi influenced spaces,
– and collections of Rosenthal Studio-Line, bisque porcelain, or modernist ceramics.
Details
Designer: Tapio Wirkkala
Manufacturer: Rosenthal Studio-Line
Model: 3050/34
Country: Germany
Year: 1966
Material: Porcelain
Color: White
Finish: Matte
Height: 34 cm
Width: 14.5 cm
Depth: 14.5 cm
Opening Diameter: approx. 13 cm
Markings: Fully marked to underside with Rosenthal Germany, Tapio Wirkkala signature mark, and Studio-Line logo
Condition
Excellent vintage condition with no chips, cracks, or restorations. The matte porcelain surface is beautifully preserved with only minimal traces of age consistent with careful ownership.
An elegant and highly collectible example of Tapio Wirkkala’s work for Rosenthal Studio-Line — quietly intellectual, tactile, and timeless.
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.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsWhiteMaterialPorcelainNumber of items1Height34 cmWidth14 cmDepth14 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Private sellerBerlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 25 sales