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Tadao Amano for Rosenthal Studio-Line “Sakura” Vase Pair in Porcelaine Noire — Matte & Glossy Black, 1980s Germany / Japan
€360Bid from €290
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About this seller
Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 20 sales
Product description
**Tadao Amano for Rosenthal Studio-Line “Sakura” Vase Pair in Porcelaine Noire — Matte & Glossy Black, 1980s Germany / Japan**
An exceptionally rare pair of sculptural vases from the *Sakura* series, designed by the elusive Japanese designer **Tadao Amano** for **Rosenthal Studio-Line** in the 1980s. Crafted in the iconic **Porcelaine Noire**, this duo exemplifies the meeting point between Eastern sensibility and Western precision—subtle, graphic, and meditative.
**Design & Dimensions:**
Each vase is composed with a masterful interplay of curves and edges, offering a dynamic silhouette that shifts with every angle of view. Their square bases gently flare into soft organic contours, reminiscent of stylized cherry blossom buds (*sakura*), which lend the series its poetic name.
* **Larger vase**: H 18 cm × W 20 cm × D 9 cm
* **Smaller vase**: H 14 cm × W 10 cm × D 5 cm
Both forms are executed in Rosenthal’s deep **black porcelain**, using a striking juxtaposition of **matte and high-gloss glazes**. The contrast reveals each contour with graphic precision, as light glides across the glossy sides while the velvety matte surfaces absorb it—evoking lacquer, inkstone, or obsidian.
**Rosenthal’s Porcelaine Noire Series:**
Initiated in the late 1970s, *Porcelaine Noire* was Rosenthal’s bold experiment in material purity and international collaboration. The series, which included designers such as **Hans Theo Baumann**, **Jan van der Vaart**, and **Martin Freyer**, invited new sculptural interpretations of the vessel in radical black. *Porcelaine Noire* stood apart for its architectural approach to porcelain, and Amano’s contributions are among its most refined and least commonly seen.
**About Tadao Amano:**
Tadao Amano remains one of the most enigmatic figures of Rosenthal’s international design roster. His works, while few, demonstrate a reverence for traditional Japanese ceramic aesthetics, fused with the structural clarity of European modernism. The *Sakura* series distills these influences into forms that feel both ancient and futurist—simultaneously ceremonial object and design artifact.
**Condition:**
Both vases are in **excellent vintage condition**, with no chips, cracks, or restorations. Surfaces are clean and luminous. Each bears the **Rosenthal Studio-Line** mark designation to the base.
**Why Collect This Pair:**
* Rare works by **Tadao Amano** for Rosenthal
* Part of the historically important **Porcelaine Noire** series
* Elegant combination of **Japanese form language** and **German manufacture**
* Graphically striking contrast of **matte and gloss finishes**
* Sculptural, collectible, and timeless
**Provenance:** Private collection, Germany
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GENERAL INFORMATION
**Explore my profile for more retro vases, vintage fashion, and designer goods!**
**Questions are welcome and will be answered promptly.**
**International buyers are welcome!**
*Please contact me in advance for precise delivery costs if you're located outside the EU. Any import duties or taxes are the buyer's responsibility.*
I strive to describe all items as accurately and honestly as possible, including detailed photos of the actual items for sale. However, please be aware that descriptions can be subjective. Vintage or pre-owned items often show signs of wear due to age, and while I make every effort to identify and note any significant flaws, some minor imperfections may be overlooked.
Naturally occurring manufacturer’s defects, slight surface scratching, or wear consistent with normal use may be present.
Any condition beyond typical vintage wear, such as chips, cracks, or other significant defects, will be clearly noted in the description and visible in the photos.
*If you are purchasing multiple items, please contact me before completing your purchase to confirm whether they can be shipped together in the same parcel.*
**Important Notice:** This transaction is between a private seller and a private buyer of secondhand items. **No refunds, returns, or warranties** are accepted or provided, in accordance with German law. By purchasing, you agree to these terms.
**Privacy Notice:** Buyer information will be used solely for the purpose of completing the transaction and arranging shipment.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsBlackMaterialPorcelainNumber of items2StyleVintageBrandRosenthalHeight18 cmWidth20 cmDepth9 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 20 sales