Ginkgo

Two masters of their fields cooperated in the creation of this service. At the request of Albert Bäuml, the works manager, Max Rossbach, a painter from Leipzig, within the shortest of times developed a "practical, simple elegant form" for presentation at the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris. It is a form which in its programme Nymphenburg lists under the name of MODERN. Hermann Gradl, whose "fish service" was also shown in Paris, then created the Gingko pattern. The gingko-leaf motif, which in its symmetry and division into two symbolises harmony, naturally and elegantly matches the shape. The service today is regarded as one of Nymphenburg's art nouveau icons.