5 July 2026

Inspired by Lake Traunsee: How Gmundner Keramik Turned Local Waters into a New Tableware Design

Blue School of Fish ceramic plate and lakeside table setting by Lake Traunsee from Gmundner Keramik's 2026 collection.

Quick Read

• Fashion.at attended Gmundner Keramik's online press conference in late June, where the manufactory presented traditional craftsmanship alongside upcoming collections for autumn and winter.
• One of this summer's highlights is the new Blue School of Fish design, launched in May 2026 and inspired by Lake Traunsee.
• The collection links a contemporary hand-painted motif with more than 500 years of ceramic tradition in Gmunden.
• It also reflects how regional landscapes continue to shape Austrian design today.

When Fashion.at joined Gmundner Keramik's online press conference at the end of June, the presentation covered much more than seasonal product news. The Upper Austrian manufactory offered insights into its UNESCO-recognised decorating technique known as Flammen ("flaming"), discussed developments for the coming autumn and winter collections, and highlighted one design that perfectly matches the current season: Blue School of Fish, introduced in May 2026. Inspired by nearby Lake Traunsee, the pattern demonstrates how local scenery continues to influence one of Austria's best-known ceramic producers.

A craft shaped by more than five centuries

Gmundner Keramik traces its documented history back to 1492 and has become closely associated with Gmunden on the shores of Lake Traunsee. Today, the manufactory is regarded as one of Central Europe's largest ceramic producers and the iconic Green Flamed (Grüngeflammt) tableware remains its best-known design, often described as Austria's most recognisable dinner service.

The characteristic "flamed" decoration has become part of Austria's intangible cultural heritage. In 2021, the traditional technique of applying the distinctive looping and wave-like brush patterns by hand was added to the Austrian UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Over time, the original green version has been complemented by colour variations including blue and red, while the elegant White Flamed, introduced in 2017, offers a more restrained, urban interpretation of the classic pattern.

From alpine symbols to life beneath the water

While the flamed decorations are created using the specialised brushing technique that gives them their flowing appearance, animal motifs are painted individually by hand. This makes every fish, lobster or deer slightly different.

Among these figurative collections, the Deer motif has long ranked among the company's most popular designs after Green Flamed. It reflects Austria's alpine landscape, forests and hunting traditions. The limited Lobster design introduced a contemporary maritime theme, while the new Blue School of Fish shifts the focus closer to home, drawing inspiration from the waters that have surrounded the manufactory for centuries.

Lake Traunsee as a design source

Lake Traunsee is Austria's deepest lake and one of the defining landmarks of the Salzkammergut region. Towering above it is Traunstein, whose steep slopes rising directly from the water have become one of the country's best-known landscapes. The lake is also known for its long fishing tradition and for shaping everyday life in Gmunden.

Rather than depicting a specific fish species, the new design presents a loosely arranged school of blue fish moving across the white ceramic surface. The motif evokes movement, calm water and the relaxed atmosphere associated with lakeside summers. It also demonstrates how regional identity can be translated into contemporary product design without abandoning traditional craftsmanship.

Designed for mixing old and new

Like all Gmundner Keramik pieces, every item in the Blue School of Fish collection is handmade and individually painted. The manufactory recommends combining the design with Dark Blue Flamed or the Lobster collection for seasonal table settings, illustrating a broader trend within the brand: rather than replacing established classics, new motifs are designed to complement them. The result is a collection that connects local heritage, contemporary aesthetics and the enduring appeal of handcrafted ceramics—while keeping Lake Traunsee at the centre of the story.

Images: Hand-painted 'Blue School of Fish' tableware by Gmundner Keramik is shown alongside a lakeside place setting on Lake Traunsee, illustrating the regional inspiration behind the 2026 collection. © Gmundner Keramik