A few weeks ago, I met up with a seller at my favorite flea market. She is a self proclaimed nomad and travels around the country in her oversized van, purchasing things as she goes and selling things whenever she sets up at a vintage flea market. She even sells online during her travels. I spotted her Bitossi vase about three tables away and went to get a better look at it. It was marvelous. I turned it over to see if it was truly Bitossi or whatever, and found a label I had never seen before, which was “Created in Italy for Rosenthal Netter Inc.”
I did purchase that beautiful vase because it will look awesome in my shop. But I wanted to get more information about Rosenthal Netter. I am a big fan of the Rosenthal porcelain company in Germany and I was thinking there must be some kind of connection. I started doing research, looking for a rabbit hole I could dive down.
Alas, there was very very little about this company other than which was founded in 1959 and was primarily a US based importer of Italian pottery that also imported items from other countries later on. It seems to fall off the face of the earth around 1980. I am a bit disappointed in my lack of information, however I still had inspiration! I will show you some of the pieces they imported, only the ones with the labels, so you can enjoy them along with me. I imagine this company would have sold these items to department stores, providing some beautiful home decor in the 1960s and 1970s.
When searching online for Rosenthal Netter, you will come across mostly Italian made pottery which includes Bitossi items and Aldo Londi designs. Keep looking and you will discover woven baskets, glass and metal pieces from Japan, India and Taiwan, all with the original foil Rosenthal Netter label. So let’s go exploring…
Rosenthal Netter Fascie Colorate Green Vase
This vibrant green vase is designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi and is available in IrwinStMercantile on Etsy for $48
Rosenthal Netter Raffia Weaved Basket
This MCM lidded green raffia basket was made in Italy. FlowerPowerVintage has it for $89 on Etsy for you basket lovers.
Rosenthal Netter Candle Holders
These dramatic candle holders will light up the dinner table and are also from Italy. They are in TimelessU shop for $129 on Etsy
Rosenthal Netter Floral Brass Bowl
Imported brass floral bowl, made in India and available for $36 on Etsy from the shop CreosoteRain.
Rosenthal Netter Japanese Porcelain Figurine
The company imported porcelain from Japan. This elegant musician was found on Etsy at the shopEclecticPaperPenguin and it’s priced at $50.
Rosenthal Netter Pottery Tiles on Wood
Speaking of serene, I like the color and design in this tile trivet imported from Taiwan. DavidsonVintage has it available in their Etsy shop for $22.
So you can see there are different materials and countries represented in the imports selected by Rosenthal Netter.
There was another US company that imported home decor items called Raymor, that has much more information available online. I actually wrote to the author of the history of Raymor, Mark Hill who hopes you will enjoy his post . He has also written about Italian pottery from the 1950s through the 1970s, Alla Moda, and a book on Fat Lava.
is happily married to another vintage-loving native of central Massachusetts. They both love thrifting, yard sales and estate sales. Paul teaches photography and creates his own wetplates. Mary Ellen loves history and genealogy. Retirement gives them the perfect excuse to pursue their interests in material culture.
Help..I have a yellow bowl with a white top,both have tiny indentations on them. It also has a brown ring around the top of the bowl. Thank you for any info you may have.
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Help..I have a yellow bowl with a white top,both have tiny indentations on them. It also has a brown ring around the top of the bowl. Thank you for any info you may have.