Amoniten Porcelaine Noire Duo - Martin Freyer for Rosenthal, 1970s

A striking pair of Porcelaine Noire vases designed by Martin Freyer for Rosenthal Studio-Line, both featuring his Amoniten relief decor. The surfaces are structured with fossil-like spiral forms and layered ridges that create a strong play of light and shadow across the matte black porcelain. 

• Dimensions:
  
  • Larger vase: H 30.5 cm, W 16 cm, D 10 cm
    
  • Smaller vase: H 27 cm, W 9.5 cm, D 7.5 cm
    
• Material: Black matte porcelain
  
• Brand: Rosenthal
  
• Designer: Martin Freyer
  
• Color: Black
  
• Era: 1970s
  
• Origin: Germany
  
• Condition: 
  
  • Larger vase: Very good vintage condition; no chips, cracks, or restorations.
    
  • Smaller vase: Good vintage condition; small production-related flaw at the rim, visible in photographs. Stable and fully displayable.
    
• Remarks: Set of two; both from the Amoniten series

This duo has a very focused, atmospheric presence. The matte black finish gives the relief a surprising softness, while the spiral pattern adds movement without disturbing the calm of the overall form. It works especially well in interiors with stone, smoked glass, dark wood, or pale plaster, where the surfaces can catch the light and reveal their depth gradually.

Hans Martin Freyer (1909–1975) was a German painter, graphic and industrial designer whose work ranged from architecture and stage design to textiles and product design. Best known to the wider public as the creator of the refined Volkswagen VW logo in 1938, he later worked as a freelance designer of patterns, structures and reliefs. From 1964 to 1974 he designed for Rosenthal, developing sculptural relief decorations for glass and porcelain in the studio-line – most famously the Plissée vases, whose pleated, fabric-like white or black bisque surfaces remain icons of mid-century and Op-Art influenced German porcelain design.

Rosenthal, founded in 1879 in Selb, Bavaria, is one of Germany’s most important porcelain manufacturers, recognised for combining industrial production with high design standards. With its Studio-Linie programme from the 1960s onwards, Rosenthal invited international artists and designers to create avant-garde forms and décors, making pieces like this set both functional objects and design collectibles.