Handmade
since 1492
A real piece of Austria
The result of more than 500 years of ceramic tradition can be seen and experienced with all the senses in the centre of the famous and historic Salzkammergut region. First mentioned in a document in 1492, Gmundner Keramik, based in the town of Gmunden and one of the largest ceramic manufacturers in Central Europe, has developed over the years into a true synonym for the best Austrian tableware and thus stands not only for tradition, but above all for a unique love of traditional craftsmanship. Every product that comes from the Gmundner Keramik manufactory is unique - made and painted by hand and as unique as the people who buy it. The Grüngeflammt design is unmistakable and is now recognised worldwide.
1614
First products
The first products of the Gmunden crockery makers were fairly simple. They were so-called Hafnerware, a collective term for lead-glazed earthenware, a porous body that was only waterproofed by the glaze.
The birth of a classic
As early as the 17th century, Gmunden was considered a stronghold of old Austrian fine and decorative ceramics. Over the course of the 17th and 18th centuries, the Gmunden potters developed their own unique paintings and forms. A very special feature was the painting of plates and bowls with short but bold green strokes on the rim. The famous "green flames" were created.
Moving into the Hafnerhaus
Franz Schleiss and his wife Franziska acquired the Hafnerhaus in 1843. In 1903, his son Leopold Schleiss founded the Gmundner Tonwarenfabrik on the present-day site of the Gmundner Keramik Manufaktur. The 100th anniversary of the site was celebrated in 2003 with the organisation of an international ceramics symposium.
1853
Co-operations with artists
Famous artists such as Gustav Klimt, Gustav Mahler and Franz Lehàr accompanied the Austrian Emperor Franz Josef and his Sissi to their summer residence in Bad Ischl in the 19th century and also influenced and inspired the ceramic art of the time.
1909
A love of art
The Schleiss family promoted artistic endeavours in the region. In 1909, the "Künstlerische Werkstätte Franz und Emilie Schleiss" (Franz and Emilie Schleiss Artistic Workshop) marked the beginning of what still characterises the company's special flair today - a love of art.
Vereinigte Wiener und Gmundner Keramik und Gmundner Tonwarenfabrik Schleiss GmbH
In 1913, Franz Schleiss II merged with Wiener Keramik, which worked together with Wiener Werkstätten as a sales organisation. The "Vereinigte Wiener und Gmundner Keramik und Gmundner Tonwarenfabrik Schleiß GmbH" attracted gifted decorative ceramics artists such as Peche, Powolny, Zülow and Hartmann in the summer months and turned Gmunden into an artists' colony.
1968
Number 1 in Austria
In 1968, Johannes Prince Hohenberg, a direct descendant of the Austrian imperial family, took over Gmundner Keramik Manufaktur and made it the number one tableware manufacturer in Austria and beyond. The triumphal march of the "Grüngeflammter" began. Together with Professor Gudrun Wittke-Baudisch, he founded the working group for ceramic art "Gruppe H", with the H standing for Hallstatt (Mrs Wittke-Baudisch's place of residence) and Hohenberg.
1975
Award of the national coat of arms of the Republic of Austria
Under Johannes Prince Hohenberg, "Gmundner Keramik Hohenberg Ges.m.b.H." was awarded the national coat of arms of the Republic of Austria. Gmundner Keramik was honoured for its special efforts in the economic sector with the right to bear the national coat of arms. During this time, the company employed around 500 people.
2018
Markus Friesacher - new owner of Gmundner Keramik
The traditional Upper Austrian company Gmundner Keramik is changing hands. The manufactory, which has been privately owned by the von Moy family since 1997, will be transferred to Salzburg entrepreneur Markus Friesacher in August 2018. He took over the manufactory, which has existed for over 500 years, with its 130 employees, the associated world of experience and the brand stores. The company thus remains firmly in Austrian hands.
2019
Gmundner Keramik brand store in Hallstatt
With the brand store in Hallstatt, Gmundner Keramik has had another sales location in Upper Austria since autumn 2019. In the picturesque town centre on the historic market square, you will find cosy cafés, restaurants and bars as well as the entire Gmundner Keramik range to take away.
2021
The Flame of Ceramics - Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO
In May 2021, the "flaming of ceramics" was declared a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. Ceramic flaming refers to the application of a recognisable pattern to ceramic pieces. The first finds of white-blue coloured ceramics in the area around Gmunden date back to 1600, from which the typical decoration technique, the "Geflammte" or "Gmundnerische Geschirr", developed. It takes around two years to learn the craft of flaming, which emphasises sustainable and local production. Patterns in loops or loops, stripes, waves or arches are typical. The green banding in combination with the white glaze background forms the typical "green flaming", which is applied to crockery and decorative objects.
2021
Award of the national coat of arms
It is an honour that Gmundner Keramik Manufaktur GmbH & Co KG has been awarded the national coat of arms. Austrian companies that have rendered outstanding services to the economy are awarded the national coat of arms. Gmundner Keramik is now authorised to bear the national coat of arms of the Republic of Austria as a "state-awarded company".
Update of the company logo
Due to the inclusion of the traditional craft "The Flaming of Ceramics" in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage, Gmundner Keramik has decided to adapt the company logo. The flower blossom in the logo was renewed in a "flamed" look. The logo was presented at the 2021 summer festival.
Academy of Ceramics Gmunden
Gmunden will have an Academy of Ceramics in 2022, continuing the rich history of collaboration between Gmundner Keramik and artists since 1909 in an innovative partnership with OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH. This lively format is all about mutual inspiration between Gmundner Keramik Manufaktur and contemporary artists of international calibre.
2022
Austrian Music Theatre Prize
For the 10th anniversary of the Austrian Music Theatre Prize, we were allowed to reinterpret the "Schikaneder" statuette. High culture meets the highest level of craftsmanship. Reduced to a feather in combination with a panpipe with seven pipes, the symbolism of the "Schikaneder" is unmistakable. The uniqueness of the statuette is guaranteed by the flaming of the feather. The unmistakable technique, which is more than 300 years old, is both a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage site and a one-off from Austria. On 13 September in the Wolkenturm in Grafenegg, the unique pieces in 13 categories and four special categories were awarded by a top-class jury of journalists and the board of directors. It is an honour for us to present this special event with a unique award.
2023
Shop opening Anif
On Thursday, 20 April 2023, the owner of Gmundner Keramik Markus Friesacher opened the first Gmundner Keramik Manufaktur shop in Anif. The successful concept of the manufactory shop is being expanded and the conveniently located shop in Anif is expected to be very popular with both guests and visitors from the surrounding area. In future, motifs ranging from classic scattered flowers to leopards will be presented on 120 m2.
2023
Shop opening Vienna
In the centre of the 8th district, in the historic vaults of the Beethovenhaus, the Gmundner Keramik Welt was ceremoniously opened. These venerable premises serve as a stage to present the many facets of the company. In addition to the shop, where the complete range of unique handmade items from Gmunden are on display for purchase, visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the fascinating craftsmanship behind the ceramic works. In addition, the lounge at the Gmunden Lodge in Namibia invites visitors to embark on a spiritual journey to faraway Africa.
