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Tapio Wirkkala Porcelaine Noire Vase Duo Rosenthal MCM Chic Minimalist & Iconic
€399Bid from €360
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Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 23 sales
Product description
Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal — Duo of Sculptural Black Porcelain Vases (Germany, 1960s–70s)
A rare and beautifully balanced pair of black porcelain vases designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio-Line. These two sculptural objects—one entirely matte-black, the other a calibrated interplay of matte body and glossy neck—demonstrate Wirkkala’s quiet but unmistakable virtuosity in porcelain: reductive silhouettes, sensual tactility, and a mastery of surface modulation that feels almost architectural.
United as a duo, they read like a dialogue in black:
one vessel cylindrical, near-monastic in its matte depth; the other rising into a flared, ribbed crown where glossy black melts into a smoky satin. Together they present a study in contrasts—light absorption versus reflection, closed form versus lifted gesture, industrial discipline versus hand-driven subtlety.
Though less known than the famous Porcelaine Noire works, these designs capture a different side of Wirkkala's vocabulary: disciplined abstraction, impeccable proportions, and a distinctly Nordic sense of calm.
Designer — Tapio Wirkkala (1915–1985)
A foundational figure of 20th-century Scandinavian design, Wirkkala moved seamlessly between materials—glass, wood, silver, and porcelain—extracting from each a poetic structural essence. His collaborations with Rosenthal in the 1960s and 70s positioned the German manufacturer at the forefront of sculptural industrial design.
Wirkkala’s porcelain works remain highly sought after for their purity, precision, and meditative composure.
Details
Vase 1 — Matte Black Cylindrical Form
Manufacturer: Rosenthal Studio-Line, Germany
Designer: Tapio Wirkkala
Material: Matte black porcelain
Dimensions: Height 13 cm · Ø 12 cm
Condition: Excellent vintage condition; no chips, cracks, or repairs. Minimal age-appropriate surface traces.
Vase 2 — Matte Body with Glossy Neck and Ribbed Crown
Manufacturer: Rosenthal Studio-Line, Germany
Designer: Tapio Wirkkala
Material: Black porcelain — matte body, glossy neck, ribbed satin-gloss opening
Dimensions: Height 23 cm · Ø 8 cm
Condition: Excellent vintage condition; no chips, cracks, or repairs. Minor expected wear consistent with age.
A Collectible Pair
This duo offers a striking, museum-quality ensemble for collectors of Wirkkala, monochrome design, or sculptural European porcelain. Displayed together, they read like a small installation—two variations on the theme of blackness, form, and restrained elegance.
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 goodColorsBlackMaterialPorcelainNumber of items2BrandRosenthalHeight23 cmWidth8 cmDepth8 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 23 sales