“Lamina Rot” Vase & Box Trio – Helmut Drexler for Rosenthal, 1970–1973

Rare three-piece porcelain set in Rosenthal’s striking “Lamina Rot” finish, designed by Helmut Drexler and produced in the early 1970s. The deep red ground with metallic gold lamina creates a rich, light-reactive surface with subtle variation from piece to piece, pairing strong modern forms with the bold material experimentation that defined Drexler’s work for Rosenthal.

• Dimensions:
  • Vase 1: H 16 cm, Dia. 6 cm
  • Vase 2: H 27 cm, Dia. 6.5 cm
  • Box: H 4.5 cm, Dia. 6 cm
• Material: Porcelain with metallic lamina glaze
• Brand: Rosenthal
• Designer: Helmut Drexler
• Color: Red, gold
• Condition: Very good to excellent vintage condition
• Era: 1970–1973
• Origin: Germany
  

A beautiful set for collectors, but also a strong choice for interiors that need warmth and depth. Displayed together on a console, sideboard, or dark wood shelf, the trio works especially well with brass, smoked glass, or neutral ceramics, and makes a rich accent in 1970s-inspired, eclectic, or minimal spaces.

Helmut Drexler (1927–2016) was a German porcelain painter and designer who rose from apprentice at Rosenthal in Selb to master painter, then head of the decoration department. From the 1970s onwards he developed experimental surface treatments that transformed porcelain with complex metallic and marbled effects; Goldfeuer was one of his breakthrough décors, first shown at Rosenthal’s 8th Artists’ Days in 1985. By etching the glaze, applying gold in varying thicknesses and firing it under a marbling lacquer, Drexler achieved a controlled play of lilac tones and dense gold veins that has never been convincingly imitated, cementing his reputation as a technical and artistic innovator.

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.