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.
Wagner & Nymphenburg Manufacturing - Porcelain Depicting Ruth
By Nymphenburg Porcelain
Located in Beaune, FR
Hand-painted German porcelain plaque from the prestigious Nymphenburg Manufacture in Munich dating from the end of the 19th century. Circa 1875 It depicts "Ruth" after the painting ...
Porcelain
Wall creation 14 porcelain plates with the map of the world. Artist Barford
By Nymphenburg Porcelain
Located in München, Bavaria
This wall set consisting of 14 28 cm diameter plates is hand painted with the map of the world. It is a wonderful wall installation for any modern global nomad or for your sailing sh...
Porcelain
$7,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 34.5 in W 27.5 in D 1 in
Elise Puyroche-Wagner (German, 1828-1895), Floral Naturalistic Painting C. 1853
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elise Puyroche-Wagner (German, 1828-1895), circa 1853. Oil on Canvas in Giltwood Frame. An extremely fine painting featuring a naturalist floral scene, flowers, grapes, peaches, an...
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
$19,500
H 21.5 in W 18 in D 2 in
Antique Painted Porcelain Plaque Depicting an Orientalist Beauty, Signed Vienna
By Royal Vienna Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A very large and magnificent antique painted porcelain plaque depicting an orientalist beauty dressed in silk, jewelry, pearls, and 24-karat raised gold and enamel, signed Vienna. Th...
Enamel
$1,450
H 14 in W 11.75 in D 3 in
Antique German KPM Porcelain Portrait Plaque Young Woman Signed Wagner Asti 1890
By Angelo Asti, Wagner Kpm
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique German Hand-Painted KPM porcelain portrait plaque signed "Wagner" after the painting "Reflection" by the Italian artist Angelo Asti (1847-1903). Asti was born in Milan...
Porcelain, Giltwood
Morbelli Porcelain Wall Plate “Gioielli Italici”, 1987 Italy
By Arte Morbelli
Located in Milano, IT
Morbelli Porcelain wall plate “Gioielli Italici” 1987 Italy.
Porcelain
Horse Scene English Porcelain Plate or Wall Art
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful black and off-white English porcelain plate depicting a country scene with horse, hunting dogs, and fowl birds. With maker's mark: Royal Caultron, England, est. 1774. Ver...
Faience, Ceramic, Delft, Porcelain
Antique Oil Painting After Nicolas Poussin, Summer, Ruth and Boaz
By Nicolas Poussin
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique Oil Painting After Nicolas Poussin, Summer, Ruth, and Boaz Large antique oil on canvas depicting Summer, or Ruth and Boaz, after Nicolas Poussin’s composition from The Four ...
Canvas, Wood
Art Deco wool world map
Located in Bridgewater, CT
An interesting wall decoration.
Wool
"The Lively Conversation" an Oil Painting by Fritz Wagner
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Oil on canvas painting of group of gentlemen telling tales at the pub by German artist Fritz Wagner. The painting is signed in the lower right corner and presented in a period frame...
Paint
$300Sale Price|20% Off
H 17.72 in W 21.66 in D 0.6 in
Silver Leaf Foil Wall World Map Engraving Based on the Original Moses Pitt, 1681
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique style pictorial silver leaf foil world map taken from and original engraving my Moses Pitt, 1681 This is a very interesting ...
Silver Leaf
Fornasetti Wall Plate Porcelain Gold 1980 Italy
By Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
Fornasetti.
Porcelain
$38,000
H 21 in W 17.5 in D 2 in
A KPM Hand-Painted Porcelain Plaque of a Japonism Beauty, Signed Wagner
By KPM Porcelain, Wagner
Located in New York, NY
A Gorgeous 19th Century KPM Hand-Painted Porcelain Plaque of a Japonism Beauty, Signed by the Artist Wagner Wien .n C. Kiesel. The beauty is seen in a beautiful orange and white kimono...
Porcelain
Italian Artist Aligi Sassu Horse Painted Wall Plate
By Aligi Sassu
Located in Milan, IT
A rare wall plate depicting a running horse by Italian artist Aligi Sassu. Signed and dated
Ceramic
Decorative Plates Kaiser Wall Porcelain Plates Kaiser Porcelain
By Kaiser
Located in Bastogne, BE
Decorative collection plates from the finest bone china from the famous German manufactory Kaiser (Kaiser). Series “Classical lullabies of the wor...
Porcelain
World Relief Map
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large world relief map. Measures: Width 232 cm. Height 158 cm.
Acrylic
Vintage Kaiser Plate “Ming” Orange Porcelain Wall Plate, Germany
By Kaiser
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage big Kaiser plate “Ming” collection. Famous West Germany Manufacture Kaiser. Time-Tasted high quality porcelain. Beautiful Collection “Min...
Porcelain