Rosenthal 'Form E' Dinnerware Set Components
Decorative art/Ceramics; glazed porcelain tableware • Rosenthal AG (German, Est. 1879); Design attributed to Raymond Loewy (as indicated by the 'Form E' and 'Model R. Loewy' backstamp)
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modern; Minimalism
Medium & Technique
Hard-paste porcelain with clear glaze and hand-applied or stenciled gilding/gold leaf accents
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century, circa 1950s-1960s
Dimensions & Format
Variable dimensions; large oval platter (approx. 14-16 inches), circular serving bowl, and sauce boat/gravy boat
Subject Description
Functional modernist tableware emphasizing form and purity of material. The design features a smooth, undecorated white body with a refined gold Greek key or geometric pattern rim on the platter and thin gold banding on the bowls.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the glaze remains bright and reflective with no visible chips or cracks seen in the image
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $300 USD (for the three pieces shown collectively)
Auction Estimate
$100 - $200 USD
Provenance History
Likely a residential inheritance or retail purchase; backstamp indicates production at the Selb-Plössberg factory in Germany
Art Historical Significance
Significant as part of Rosenthal's 'Studio-Line' trajectory, collaborating with industrial designer Raymond Loewy to modernize porcelain for the post-war era. Loewy, known for the Coca-Cola bottle and Slimline designs, brought streamlined aesthetics to the domestic sphere.
Notable Features
Features the specific 'Selb-Plössberg Germany Form E Model R. Loewy' backstamp in green with red hand-painted decorator numbers (3246/20), indicating a specific pattern run and artisanal finishing.
Condition Issues
Possible light surface stacking scratches; slight rubbing or wear to the gold leaf rim (common in vintage tableware); minor shelf wear on the unglazed foot ring
Conservation Recommendations
Hand wash only to prevent gilding loss; avoid abrasive cleaners or dishwashers; store with felt dividers between stacked pieces
Collector Notes
Rosenthal large platter, bowl, and gravy boat