Asym Porcelaine Noire Vase - Claus Josef Riedel for Rosenthal, 1970s

Matte black bisque porcelain vase with a fluid asymmetric rim and glossy interior. The folded silhouette feels soft yet controlled, while the dark surface gives the form a quiet depth and a more dramatic Studio-Line presence.

• Dimensions: H 25 cm, W 16 cm, D 10 cm
  
• Material: Bisque porcelain
  
• Brand: Rosenthal
  
• Designer: Claus Josef Riedel
  
• Color: Matte black, glossy black
  
• Era: Mid-century modern, 1970s
  
• Origin: Germany
  
• Condition: Excellent vintage condition; no chips, cracks, or restorations. Marked as second choice due to minor production irregularities that do not affect display quality.
  
• Remarks: Asym form; 2. Wahl

This black vase brings a softer kind of contrast into an interior. The flowing rim keeps it expressive, while the matte black porcelain makes it especially effective on pale stone, glass, chrome, parchment tones, or warm wood. It works beautifully on a dining table, pedestal, or bedroom console where the silhouette can be seen against light.

Claus Josef Riedel (1925-2004) was a Czech-born Austrian designer and longtime head of Riedel who revolutionized modern wine culture by proving that glass shape changes aroma and taste, pioneering grape-varietal-specific stemware (including early landmark forms like the Burgundy Grand Cru and the later Sommeliers line). He also translated this obsession with thinness and precision into porcelain for Rosenthal, most famously with the Asym / “Fazzoletto Asym” vase (1976) in bisque porcelain (matte outside, glazed inside) and a Rosenthal 100-year anniversary matte porcelain vase (1979–80).

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.