Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nymphenburg?
Established in 1747 near Munich, Germany, and now located inside Munich at the Nymphenburg Palace, Nymphenburg is one of Europe’s oldest and most revered porcelain manufactories. It has maintained an unbroken commitment to hand-crafted, hand-painted porcelain across nearly three centuries. Nymphenburg holds a distinguished place because it has maintained an unbroken commitment to decorative excellence across nearly three centuries, serving generations of Bavarian royalty and producing pieces that now occupy permanent collections in the world’s greatest museums.
What are Nymphenburg's most iconic tableware collections?
The Pearl pattern, reserved exclusively for the Bavarian royal family for over 100 years, is perhaps the single most iconic service in the house’s history, alongside the Symphony collections and the architectural Adonis pattern.
Who are the designers and artists who have collaborated with Nymphenburg?
Nymphenburg has collaborated with the premier designers and artists of every era, including its foundational figure Franz Anton Bustelli and contemporary collaborators such as Hella Jongerius and Ted Muehling.
What practical details apply to Nymphenburg porcelain?
Nymphenburg porcelain is dishwasher safe, allowing these remarkable objects to be used at table with confidence and without ceremony.
Is Nymphenburg appropriate for a wedding registry?
Nymphenburg is among the most significant choices for a wedding registry of enduring distinction—porcelain rooted in nearly three centuries of royal patronage and artistic collaboration, and made today with the same hand-painted care as in 1747.
Is Nymphenburg appropriate as a collector's acquisition?
Yes. For the collector, Nymphenburg’s decorative figures, sculptural objects, and limited-edition artist collaborations represent some of the most compelling acquisitions in contemporary decorative art.
Can Nymphenburg porcelain pieces be customized?
Yes. All Nymphenburg porcelain pieces are available for custom painting, and in some cases custom shapes can be accommodated as well. In fact, Nymphenburg’s bespoke possibilities are what first brought Kneen & Co into the world of fine tableware — a relationship that speaks to the exceptional nature of what this storied manufactory can produce.
Where can I find the largest selection of Nymphenburg porcelain in North America?
Kneen & Co in Chicago stocks the largest collection of Nymphenburg porcelain in North America—spanning dinnerware, decorative objects, animal figures, sculptural pieces, and artist collaborations across the full breadth of the house’s contemporary range.