Marcello Morandini for Rosenthal – “Serpentina” Vase Duo (1985 & 1989)
Rosenthal Studio Line · Porcelain · White Satin-Matte · Postmodern Italian–German Design
A sculptural pair of Rosenthal vases designed by Marcello Morandini, one of Italy’s most important postwar architects and visual artists. The “Serpentina” series embodies Morandini’s signature language — spiraling geometry, mathematical clarity, and an almost musical sense of movement. These two examples, produced in 1985 (model 3773/32, height 31 cm) and 1989 (model 3773/26, height 25 cm), form a striking dialogue of proportion, rhythm, and architectural elegance.
“Serpentina” is Rosenthal Studio Line at its most refined:
a continuous spiraling volume, cut into ascending rings, forming a vessel that seems less thrown than constructed — as if sliced from an architectural model. The matte satin-white porcelain enhances this effect: crisp, cool, and shadow-responsive, it behaves almost like plaster or Carrara marble reduced to pure geometry.
The asymmetric opening, a Morandini hallmark, breaks the order with intention — a small conceptual wink interrupting the mathematical serenity.
Together, the duo becomes a dynamic sculptural composition: two architectural columns performing a subtle duet of height and curvature.
A leading figure of Italian Constructivism and Optical Art, Morandini’s work spans architecture, sculpture, industrial design, and graphics. His oeuvre is defined by rigorous geometry, serial structures, and a devotion to black-and-white purity.
Morandini has exhibited internationally since the 1960s, including at the V&A Museum, the Centre Pompidou, the Triennale di Milano, and numerous European design museums. In 2017, he opened the Fondazione Morandini in Varese — a museum dedicated to his life’s work.
His collaborations with Rosenthal in the 1980s belong to the most celebrated crossovers between Italian neo-constructivism and German design industry.
Designer: Marcello Morandini
Manufacturer: Rosenthal Studio Line, Germany
Series: Serpentina
Material: Satin-matte porcelain (white)
Technique: Molded porcelain with spiral architectural relief
Model: 3773/32
Year: 1985
Height: 31 cm
Diameter: 12.5 cm
Model: 3773/26
Year: 1989
Height: 25 cm
Diameter: 10.5 cm
Condition: Both pieces in excellent vintage condition; no chips, cracks, hairlines, or restorations. Minimal signs of age.
“Serpentina” is a cornerstone of 1980s postmodern porcelain: crisp, conceptual, almost architectural sculpture masquerading as a vase. Perfect for collectors of Rosenthal Studio Line, Italian postmodernism, or those who appreciate design objects that whisper Brancusi while thinking like Euclid.
International shipping available with secure, professional packaging.
Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.
Private sale under German law: no returns or warranties.