Black & Frosted Glass Vase Duo - Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, 1970s

A Rosenthal Studio-Line vase duo pairing Tapio Wirkkala’s satin frosted glass vase with a matte black Porcelaine Noire relief vase, both made in Germany in the 1970s. The translucent glass piece brings Nordic clarity and lightness, while the black porcelain vase adds depth, texture and a darker Studio-Line presence.

• Dimensions:
  
  • Satin glass vase: H 26.5 cm, W 17 cm, D 14.5 cm
    
  • Black porcelain vase: H 22 cm, W 18.5 cm, D 16.5 cm
• Material: Satin frosted glass, matte porcelain
  
• Brand: Rosenthal 
  
• Designer: Tapio Wirkkala
  
• Color: Translucent white / matte black
  
• Condition: Very good to excellent vintage condition
  
• Era: 1970s
  
• Origin: Germany
  
• Remarks: Set of two vases. Satin glass vase model 22531. 

This duo works best on a console, sideboard or open shelf where the contrast between translucent glass and matte black porcelain can be seen clearly. Place the glass vase closer to natural light and keep the black piece nearby as a visual anchor.

Tapio Wirkkala (1915–1985) was one of the most important Finnish designers and sculptors of the 20th century and a major figure of post-war Nordic design. His work for Rosenthal – including the iconic crumpled paper bag vases and the geometric Polygon tableware for the Studio Line – uniquely combined Scandinavian minimalism with German porcelain craftsmanship and is still considered a milestone in the Rosenthal portfolio. Beyond Rosenthal, Wirkkala’s multidisciplinary designs in glass, wood, metal and porcelain for Iittala and others, defined Nordic design with their minimalist, functional yet highly expressive character and are now widely recognized as modern design classics in museum collections worldwide.

Rosenthal, founded in 1879, is best known for its major role in 20th-century German porcelain, but under Philip Rosenthal the company evolved into a much broader design house. With the launch of Rosenthal studio-line in 1961, Rosenthal positioned itself at the forefront of contemporary design and, alongside its famous porcelain and ceramic lines, introduced glass and cutlery as part of a unified modern program. This expansion was not secondary, but central to the brand’s identity, with German glass production anchored by the Amberg glassworks from 1970 onward. Rosenthal’s glass lines from this period share the same design-driven spirit as its porcelain: refined, experimental, and closely tied to leading artists and designers of the time.