Rosenthal, the world-renowned manufacturer of porcelain tableware and giftware, crystal and cutlery, traces its roots to the small Bavarian village of Selb, Germany. In 1879, German-born Philipp Rosenthal returned to his native country and settled in Selb, the heart of an area known for the production of porcelain.

Aware of enormous potential in the marketplace, Philipp Rosenthal soon established his own workshop for the decoration of white porcelain in a country mansion near Selb. The business grew rapidly and by 1887, the company flourished and operated under a protected trademark. In 1891, prompted by difficulty in obtaining unpainted white porcelain, Philipp Rosenthal built his own porcelain factory. He quickly gained a reputation as a manufacturer of exceptional quality porcelain through constant improvements made to the quality and composition of the porcelain.