Rosti kitchen utensils

In the 1940s, Rolf Fahrenholtz and Stig Jørgensen met when they were both studying at the Copenhagen School of Economics. Their friendship becomes the start of a lifelong partnership. In 1944, they found the company Rosti, which initially focuses on wholesale and semi-finished products for the hardware industry. During this time, the company makes its products from bakelite. During and after the Second World War, many materials are in short supply around the world. Rosti begins to experiment with melamine in the production of table and kitchenware. The first to discover the advantages of melamine were the German Defence Forces, which placed the largest order ever. The Defence ordered melamine plates from Rosti for their food service. In the 1950s, Rosti is the only company producing in melamine.

The timeless and functional Margrethe Bowl

In 1947, Rolf Fahrenholtz and Stig Jørgensen decide to expand their range. They decide to produce a practical melamine mixing bowl. The duo buys sample bowls in various shapes and materials, and enlists the help of a large number of housewives to test the different bowls. Rosti, together with these women, decided that they needed a round bowl with enough space to stir and whisk without the contents spilling over.

For the design of the bowl, they bring in Acton Bjørn and Sigvard Bernadotte's design studio in Copenhagen. Together with the design studio, they produce a bowl that is as much about function as it is about quality and design.

Production of the bowl begins in 1950. Sigvard Bernadotte wanted to give the bowl a unique name, which brings Princess Margrethe to mind. Sigvard Bernadotte then asked the Danish court for permission to use the name on his design, which he was granted. The first Margrethe bowl is launched at Christmas 1954.

The bowl has since become an award-winning design icon, depicted on stamps and other items. More than 25 million copies have been sold worldwide and the bowl has a permanent place in the Museum of Modern Art in New York.