Wall plate by Theodor Kärner, produced by the Rosenthal factory, featuring animal motifs. The plate measures 250 mm, with cobalt on porcelain, and has a hanging fixture on the rim. The plate is in good collectible condition. It is part of the series "Christmas Themes." The price is indicated for one plate!
ROSENTHAL The factory was founded in 1879. Now the Rosenthal porcelain factory is one of the largest and most famous in Europe, despite the fact that, unlike many other factories founded in the XVIII century, it has less than a hundred years of its existence. The very first factory was built in 1879 by Philip Rosenthal in the small village of Selb in Bavaria. Selb is an old center of porcelain production - since 1763 there was a branch of the Berlin Manufactory there, and in the XX century several more enterprises appeared. The Rosenthal factory appeared during the heyday of imperial Germany, and with the talented entrepreneurship of its founder, this allowed for a rapid expansion of wide activities. The Rosenthal factory became a joint-stock company and, having incorporated several other factories into its firm, became in the twenties of this century a powerful concern dominating the world market. The following factories belong to this colossus: "Selb-Plesberg" (formerly "Selb-Bahnhof"), founded in 1867; "Kronach" (Bavaria), founded in 1897.; "Munich-hand-painted porcelain factory" "Thomas & Co." in Marktredwitz (Bavaria), founded in 1903 and incorporated in 1908; "Thomas & Co." in Sophienthal (near Bayreuth), founded in 1907, transferred to the concern in 1936; Christer porcelain manufactory, founded in 1831 (until 1945 - in Walbrzych, since 1952 the company resumed work in Lanushtul in the Palatinate). The concern, headed by Philip Rosenthal Jr., now employs five thousand five hundred people, and in addition to manufacturing enterprises, there is its own network of retail stores and many foreign representative offices. The quality of porcelain is extremely high: the whiteness and transparency index is the highest in the world. The range of products of the Rosenthal factory is very wide - from chic table china and coffee and tea sets to technical products. Of the numerous models of sets , the most famous are: "Maria" and "Sans Souci". One of Rosenthal's novelties was porcelain covered with a thin layer of metal: copper, nickel or silver. But this type of porcelain, despite its greater strength and longer heat retention, was not accepted on the market. Coffee sets richly decorated with enamel and with cups gilded inside have gained great popularity. But they rather serve to decorate sideboards than for everyday use. Of other products, we should mention large decorative plates, vases for flowers of different shapes and sizes, candlesticks, bonbonniers and figurines with different themes (female figurines, cupids, birds, dogs, bunnies, etc.). In addition to porcelain, Rosenthal produces ceramic clay products, among which refractory cookware is the most successful. The technical and artistic level of Rosenthal porcelain was and remains extremely high. The design departments of the concern are constantly improving the shape and decoration. If old traditional samples are used, then their layout is modernized. Porcelain figurines made by famous sculptors are close to the Copenhagen ones. Hand-painted products have the inscription "hand-painted" (handgemalt) next to the factory stamp, and sometimes the artist's last name. Since 1879. Since 1879, printed markings in green have been used. 1891 - 1907, blue underglaze marking.
"A significant creative period in Theodor Kerner's life is associated with Porzellanfabrik Rosenthal A.G. The Royal Bavarian Secret Commercial Councilor, Doctor Philipp Rosenthal (1855 – 1937), who was a long-time friend of the sculptor Theodor Kerner, offered him a position as an external collaborator at the factory he managed in Upper Franconia. Kerner gladly accepted the offer. It is worth mentioning that Philipp Rosenthal often gave his clients a medallion with his bas-relief. The medallion was made for him by Theodor Kerner. Königlich-bayerische – Kgl. Bayer. Kommerzienrat – Royal Bavarian Commercial Councilor. The honorary title of commercial councilor (Kommerzienrat) existed in the German Empire until 1919. It was awarded to entrepreneurs only if they made significant "contributions to the common good" (Stiftungen für das Gemeinwohl). The next rank in the "rank table" was the Secret Commercial Councilor (Geheime Kommerzienrat), which gave its holder the right to be received at court. The recipient himself, as well as his wife and children, could participate in the public life of the princely court. The images attached show the Maria and Donatello services by F. Rosenthal. Philipp Rosenthal was not only one of the most successful entrepreneurs of the 20th century."about a century, but also as a designer in the classical sense of the word, that is, a creative director. The "Donatello" service, created by Hans Günther Reinstein, and the "Maria" service were embodiments of his ideas. Moose model no. 706, Theodor Karner, [Rosenthal, 1930s] Rosenthal catalog Theodor Karner was a frequent and welcome guest at the Rosenthal villa. 1922 can be considered the start of the sculptor's ongoing collaboration with the Rosenthal company. Philipp Rosenthal acquired the Selb production in 1917, which, although belonging to him, initially remained the private property of the company owner (previously Jacob Zeidler & Co., founded in 1866), but it was in 1922 that the full production of artistic and decorative porcelain began at Porzellanfabrik Rosenthal A.G., and the pieces were marked with the Kunstabteilung (art department) logo. In 1924 and 1930, two Christmas plates with Karner's drawings were released by the company. His works were published in a special catalog of the company, on the inner side of which, on an attached label, there was a note stating that the catalog was not handed to "third parties, in particular, competing firms".The business relationship with the factory lasted for at least 16 years, from 1918 to 1934, and during this time Theodor Karner created 43 models. In 1934, the artist celebrated his 50th birthday. His love and respect can be judged by the specially decorated showcase of the Rosenthal store in Munich. Rosenthal showcase 1934 The fact that art and politics are closely interconnected is no secret to anyone. But it was particularly evident in the artistic works of the 1930s and 1940s. Political orders affected all aspects of life, and this is especially noticeable in the examples of Russia and Germany. Theater, cinema, applied arts, music, painting, sculpture – all forms of art served one purpose and one idea: global revolution on one hand, and the national-socialist idea on the other. Patriotic plates, Kerner, Rosenthal Rosenthal's anniversary in 1940 was celebrated under the swastika. In 1934, Philipp Rosenthal was forced to emigrate from Germany. Theodor Kerner was not willing to continue working at the factory under the new management system that was created as part of the so-called "Ariization" policy - the policy of excluding Jews from the country's economic life. His departure from the factory was likely not politically motivated, but rather could have been due to changing financial conditions and the new management's methods of working with regular and freelance artists. The next, and perhaps the most difficult and significant stage of his life, was his work at the newly established porcelain factory in the suburb of Munich, Allach... But that's a topic for a new chapter.
