Rosenthal Studio-Line Bowl by Johan van Loon

Model 3702/30 · Porcelain (“Papierporzellan”) · Germany, 1981

This large and exceptionally refined porcelain bowl was designed by Johan van Loon for Rosenthal as part of the Studio-Line program in 1981. It belongs to a body of work in which van Loon radically rethought porcelain as a sculptural medium—thin, translucent, and tension-filled—while retaining its status as a functional object.

The bowl is executed in van Loon’s characteristic Papierporzellan (paper-thin porcelain), a technically demanding approach that pushed Rosenthal’s production capabilities to their limits. The walls are remarkably thin and light, yet structurally stable, creating an object that oscillates between vessel and free sculpture. The softly modulated rim and the subtle play of pastel color—cool blues and gentle pinks dissolving into white—emphasize lightness, depth, and optical vibration rather than decorative pattern.

Van Loon’s work is often described as a synthesis of applied object and autonomous form, and this bowl exemplifies that philosophy with clarity and restraint. Its sculptural presence is underscored by its inclusion in major public collections, including the Keramiekmuseum Princessehof in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.

Details
Designer: Johan van Loon
Manufacturer: Rosenthal, Studio-Line
Country of manufacture: Germany
Year: 1981
Material: High-fired porcelain (Papierporzellan)
Finish: Glossy
Color: Subtle multicolour gradient (pastel blue, pink, white)
Model number: 3702/30

Dimensions
Diameter: 30 cm
Height: 12.5 cm
Weight: approx. 578 g

Condition
Excellent vintage condition. No chips, cracks, or repairs. The surface and glaze are clean and intact, with only minimal traces consistent with careful handling.

Context & Collectability
Johan van Loon’s Rosenthal designs are considered milestones of late-modern European porcelain, prized for their conceptual rigor and extreme technical refinement. Large-format bowls such as this example are especially sought after, as they most clearly demonstrate the sculptural ambitions of the Papierporzellan series.

General Information

Please explore our profile for more vintage vases!
International buyers: import duties or taxes, if applicable, are the buyer’s responsibility.

All items are photographed and described with care. Vintage pieces may show minimal traces of age; any significant flaws will be clearly mentioned.

Private sale under law: no returns, refunds, or warranties.