Nymphenburg Porcelain Vases and Vessels
Nymphenburg — one of Europe’s most venerable porcelain factories — was founded near Munich in 1747 by Maximilian III Joseph, the elector of Bavaria. It didn’t begin producing under the name we know today, however, until 1761, when it was moved to Nymphenburg Palace.
Porcelain was invented in East Asia around 2,000 years ago, and its formula, which requires a special clay called kaolin, became a closely guarded secret. It wasn’t until the early 1700s that chemists at Meissen, Germany, in the employ of Augustus II the Strong, the elector of Saxony, discovered a process for making true, as opposed to soft-paste, porcelain. Soon factories across Europe were producing fine porcelain services and sculpture for an elite clientele.
Nymphenburg was one of these factories, manufacturing elaborate services for dinner, dessert, coffee and tea, and sculptures for the Bavarian nobility. Round objects, such as Nymphenburg plates and vases, were turned on potter’s wheels, while more complex ones, like figures, were slip cast in molds. This technique ensured that the pieces’ dimensions were precise and consistent. Once shaped, they were fired and, after that, hand-decorated by experienced china painters, who finished each to exacting standards.
Among Nymphenburg’s most famous objects are its lively and charming Rococo-style figurines, most often depicting Commedia dell'Arte characters or exotic Chinese figures. Today, the company makes versions of its historic figurines with updated forms and decorations by such designers as Christian Lacroix and Vivienne Westwood.
It also still makes one of its earliest, and eternally popular, china patterns: the floral Cumberland, created in 1765 by Franz Anton Bustelli as the electoral court service. Cumberland is one of more than 20,000 patterns housed today in Nymphenburg’s archive, enabling owners of incomplete sets to find replacements. In addition, the company has engaged contemporary designers such as Ted Muehling and Hella Jongerius to create witty new designs that celebrate the firm’s history while giving it a fresh spin.
Find authentic Nymphenburg Porcelain decorative objects, tableware and other items on 1stDibs.
Early 2000s Nymphenburg Porcelain Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Early 20th Century German Nymphenburg Porcelain Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
2010s Spanish Nymphenburg Porcelain Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Russian Mid-Century Modern Nymphenburg Porcelain Vases and Vessels
Gold
2010s Spanish Nymphenburg Porcelain Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Scandinavian Modern Nymphenburg Porcelain Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Nymphenburg Porcelain Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Early 20th Century German Japonisme Nymphenburg Porcelain Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1990s German Mid-Century Modern Nymphenburg Porcelain Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Georgian Antique Nymphenburg Porcelain Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Nymphenburg Porcelain Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Nymphenburg Porcelain Vases and Vessels
Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century German Nymphenburg Porcelain Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1920s French Vintage Nymphenburg Porcelain Vases and Vessels
Nymphenburg Porcelain vases and vessels for sale on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to Nymphenburg Porcelain
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024To date Nymphenburg porcelain, look for a maker's mark in an inconspicuous area. Since its commission in 1754, the porcelain factory has used a wide range of marks to identify its pieces. By comparing the mark on your porcelain ware to images shared on trusted online resources, you can approximate its age. For example, a coat of arms marking above the brand's wordmark and the number 1754 indicate a piece produced in 2008 or after. If you have difficulty determining the age of a particular piece, a knowledgeable appraiser or antique dealer can assist you. Find a diverse assortment of Nymphenburg porcelain ware on 1stDibs.