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Rare Ensemble of Five Rosenthal Studio Linie Ceramic Vases by Tapio Wirkkala, c. 1970s
Seller:€899Bid from €795
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BERLIN RETRO FINDS
Product description
**Five-Piece Ensemble of Rosenthal Studio Linie Ceramic Vases by Tapio Wirkkala, c. 1970s — A Sculptural Tribute to the Master of Nordic Modernism**
A rare and visually arresting ensemble of **five ceramic vases** from the celebrated *Studio Linie* of Rosenthal, designed by the pioneering Finnish polymath **Tapio Wirkkala** (1915–1985). These pieces, believed to be part of the elusive and collectible **PLUS series**, are a masterclass in the fusion of Nordic restraint with German technical precision.
Each vase features Wirkkala’s signature “flared collar and cinched waist” silhouette—part industrial spool, part ceremonial totem—rendered in glossy, richly pigmented glazes and banded footed bases. As a group, they form a visual fugue of form and color: harmonious, rhythmic, and unexpectedly playful.
**The Ensemble:**
1. **Tall Blue/Turquoise Vase** – 19 cm H x 14 cm D
Petrol blue upper body fades into a ribbed turquoise foot. Cool, composed, and architectural.
2. **Medium Blue/Turquoise Vase** – 16 cm H x 14 cm D
A subtler proportion, evoking a more compact take on the same chromatic scheme.
3. **Tall Blue/Green Vase** – 19 cm H x 14 cm D
A saturated dark blue form giving way to a grassy green base—elegant and assertive.
4. **Tall Blue/Red Vase** – 20 cm H x 14 cm D
A more sculptural divergence: cylindrical neck rising above a spherical red base. Visually arresting, this hybrid form offers a nod to both classical amphorae and modernist abstraction.
5. **Short Blue/Red Vase** – 12 cm H x 14 cm D
Broad, grounded, and spirited. Its dark cobalt blue top rests on a ribbed red pedestal—small in scale, monumental in presence.
All five vases are finished in a high-gloss glaze, creating luminous surfaces that respond dramatically to light. The interplay of geometry and color is quintessential Wirkkala: rigorous yet lyrical.
**About the Designer: Tapio Wirkkala (1915–1985)**
Tapio Wirkkala was one of Finland’s most prolific and multidimensional designers, whose work shaped the international image of Scandinavian modernism after World War II. Trained as a sculptor and deeply influenced by the natural landscapes of his native Lapland, Wirkkala’s design language straddled the organic and the geometric, the sensual and the austere.
He is perhaps best known for his work in **glass**—particularly for Iittala, where his 1954 “*Kantarelli*” vase and the 1951 “*Tapio*” glass series became icons of modern design—but his oeuvre spanned **ceramics, silver, wood, plywood, banknotes**, and even **postage stamps**. In each medium, he brought the same sensitivity to texture, form, and the silent poetry of objects.
His collaboration with **Rosenthal** in Germany beginning in the 1950s marked a pivotal moment in European design: the meeting of Northern artistry and Bavarian precision. Under the *Studio Linie*—Rosenthal’s avant-garde line launched in 1961—Wirkkala found a platform for experimental forms in porcelain and ceramic. Unlike his more ethereal glasswork, his Rosenthal pieces often embraced **architectonic clarity**, industrial references, and rigorous symmetry, while never sacrificing tactile warmth.
Wirkkala was awarded the **Grand Prix at the Milan Triennale** three times, and his works are held in collections such as the MoMA, the V\&A, and the Stedelijk Museum. His practice was deeply interdisciplinary; he famously carved prototypes directly from laminated plywood or from the Finnish forest floor.
These vases, part of the PLUS series, are a compelling expression of Wirkkala’s design ethos: sculptural yet functional, elemental yet contemporary. The “PLUS” likely refers to the addition of form upon form, color upon color—an additive, modular sensibility that mirrors both mathematical rhythm and musical composition.
**Condition**
All five vases are in excellent vintage condition. Minor glaze variations and faint asymmetries reflect the handcrafted production methods typical of Rosenthal’s Studio Linie ceramics. Each vase bears the Rosenthal Studio Linie mark on the underside.
**Provenance**
Rosenthal Studio Linie
Germany, circa 1970s
Design by Tapio Wirkkala
Believed to be part of the “PLUS” series
**Why Collect This Set**
Rarely do such *complete ensembles* surface on the market—let alone with this degree of color variation and preserved condition. Together, the five vases form a living still life: a sculptural quintet for the modern home or curated interior. They speak not only to the enduring legacy of Rosenthal, but also to Wirkkala’s ability to create beauty at the intersection of nature, industry, and art.
This set is perfect for collectors of **modernist ceramics**, **Finnish design**, or **mid-century German avant-garde**, and for interiors that celebrate form as function—and vice versa.
**Acquire not just an object, but a conversation between two titans of 20th-century design.**
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GENERAL INFORMATION
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**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.
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Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsTurquoise, Green, Blue, Red, Multi ColorMaterialCeramicNumber of items5BrandRosenthalHeight20 cmWidth14 cmDepth14 cm