Petal-Rim Satin Glass Vase Duo - Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, 1970s

A Rosenthal satin glass vase duo by Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala, made in Germany in the 1970s. The frosted translucent glass, narrow bases and softly flared petal-like rims reflect Wirkkala’s Nordic design language, shaped by organic forms, light and material restraint.

• Dimensions:
  
  • Larger vase: H 20 cm, W 17 cm, D 14.5 cm
    
  • Smaller vase: H 18 cm, W 17 cm, D 14.5 cm
• Material: Satin frosted glass
  
• Brand: Rosenthal
  
• Designer: Tapio Wirkkala
  
• Color: Translucent white
  
• Condition: Very good vintage condition. The smaller vase has a small chip to the top rim, shown in the photos. Otherwise both pieces are well preserved, with no cracks or restorations observed and only minimal traces of age and handling.
  
• Era: 1970s
  
• Origin: Germany
  
• Remarks: Set of two vases. Model 22531 / Decor 110436.

This duo works best where side light can pass through the frosted glass — on a windowside console, open shelf, low table or bedroom chest. Use them empty for a clean composition, or with a few pale stems; avoid heavy flowers, as the soft rim and translucent surface need air around them.

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.