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Vintage Chic Dorothy Hafner Rosenthal Vase Duo Germany 1980s Memphis Era Style
€249Bid from €220
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Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 23 sales
Product description
Rosenthal Studio-Line – Colorful Porcelain Vase Duo by Dorothy Hafner
Glossy Polychrome Porcelain · Germany, late 1980s
Presented here is a vibrant duo of porcelain vases designed by Dorothy Hafner for Rosenthal Studio-Line, produced in 1987 and 1988. These two works embody Hafner’s unmistakable visual language: a confident dialogue between geometry, color, and architectural clarity, translated into finely crafted porcelain.
Design & Aesthetics
Both vases feature cylindrical bodies animated by diagonal geometric fields in soft yet assertive hues—powder blue, lilac, rose, sand, and warm ochre—each segment precisely outlined with fine gold lines. The result is a rhythmic surface composition that feels both playful and rigorously constructed. Glossy porcelain amplifies the chromatic contrasts, allowing light to glide across color planes and sharpen their edges.
Hafner’s work for Rosenthal in the 1980s marked a decisive shift toward Postmodern color confidence, bridging American Memphis-era exuberance with German precision manufacturing. These vases are exemplary of that moment: decorative without being ornamental, expressive yet controlled.
The Pair
Vase I – Larger Format (Model 3735/20)
Height: 19 cm
Width / Depth: approx. 8 × 8 cm
Material: Glossy porcelain
Year: 1988
Origin: Germany
With its increased height, this piece reads as more architectural and vertical, allowing the diagonal color bands to unfold across a broader surface.
Vase II – Smaller Format (Model 3735/14)
Height: 14 cm
Width / Depth: approx. 6.5 × 6.5 cm
Material: Glossy porcelain
Year: 1987
Origin: Germany
More compact and intimate, the smaller vase provides a lively counterpoint, reinforcing Hafner’s interest in seriality and scale variation.
Together, the two form a balanced and joyful composition—distinct in size, unified in color logic and design intent.
About the Designer
Dorothy Hafner (b. 1952) is an American ceramic artist celebrated for her bold use of color, graphic geometry, and her role in bringing a distinctly American Postmodern sensibility into European porcelain. Her collaborations with Rosenthal in the 1980s are now considered icons of the era, capturing the spirit of Memphis, Art Deco revival, and graphic abstraction in durable, collectible form.
Why This Duo Matters
Authentic Rosenthal Studio-Line designs by Dorothy Hafner
Late-1980s Postmodern porcelain at its most expressive
Rare to find as a well-matched pair
A perfect accent for modern, postmodern, or eclectic interiors
Increasingly collectible as Hafner’s Studio-Line works gain renewed attention
Condition
Both vases are in excellent vintage condition, with no chips, cracks, or repairs. Minimal signs of age consistent with careful handling.
General Information
Please explore my profile for more Rosenthal Studio-Line, modern porcelain, and curated design objects.
Questions are welcome and answered promptly.
International buyers are welcome—please contact me in advance for precise shipping costs outside the EU. Import duties or taxes, if applicable, are the buyer’s responsibility.
All items are photographed and described with care. Vintage pieces may show light wear consistent with age; any significant flaws are clearly stated and visible in the photos.
Combined shipping may be possible—please inquire before purchase.
Private sale under German law:
No returns, refunds, or warranties.
Buyer information is used solely to complete the transaction and arrange shipment.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsPurple, Gold, Multi Color, PinkMaterialPorcelainNumber of items2StyleVintageBrandRosenthalHeight19 cmWidth8 cmDepth8 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 23 sales