Augarten porcelain boxes — Viennese craftsmanship in the form of fruits and icons
The Viennese porcelain manufactory Augarten is one of Europe's most traditional porcelain producers and has stood for handcrafted quality, timeless elegance, and cultural continuity since the 18th century. In addition to classic tableware, they create exceptional design objects that combine art, function, and history. Particularly fascinating are the porcelain boxes in the shape of natural fruits or iconic Viennese motifs—collector's items that are both decorative and practical.
These objects are suitable as stylish storage for jewelry, small treasures or sweets, but also work as independent design accents in modern as well as classic interiors.
At Design-Foyer you will find carefully curated design objects from Austria and Europe — selected for quality, origin, craftsmanship and timeless design.
Pomegranate can — symbol of abundance and sensuality
The pomegranate is one of humanity's oldest cultural symbols, traditionally representing life, fertility, and prosperity. Augarten's interpretation translates this meaning into a meticulously crafted porcelain box with a deliberately irregular surface. This creates a realistic appearance that remarkably closely resembles the fruit's natural texture.
The unique texture makes the object a sensory experience: light refracts differently on the surface, while the weight of the porcelain conveys a sense of value. As a decorative element on a table, sideboard, or desk, the pomegranate-shaped box acts like a small sculpture with cultural depth. 
Orange can — Historical citrus culture from Schönbrunn
The model for this porcelain box comes from the historic orangery at Schönbrunn Palace . During the Baroque period, citrus fruits were considered precious status symbols at European courts, as they could only be cultivated with great effort. To this day, descendants of the orange trees that existed in the time of Maria Theresa are still cultivated at Schönbrunn.
The Augarten tin embraces this tradition and transforms it into an elegant design object. Its shape, color, and surface are inspired by a real orange, while the subtle porcelain sheen lends the piece a sophisticated distance from nature. This creates a captivating contrast between realistic representation and high-quality material.
As a gift or as a decorative accent, the orange can brings a touch of courtly culture and Mediterranean freshness to the living space. 
Lemon can — designer collaboration and porcelain art
This unique porcelain lemon was created in collaboration with the Italian fashion designer Giambattista Valli and the Viennese manufactory Augarten. Over several years, they worked on a collection that combines fashion, garden aesthetics, and traditional craftsmanship.
The lemon is part of a design dialogue between French garden romanticism and international design influences. Despite its apparent simplicity, it appears surprisingly elegant thanks to subtle color nuances and precise modeling. As an object, it combines lightness, elegance, and playful sophistication—qualities typical of high-quality porcelain art. 
Kaiser roll tin — Viennese tradition with a wink
The Kaiser roll is one of the most famous symbols of Viennese culinary culture and closely linked to the history of Emperor Franz Joseph I. Even at the imperial table, deceptively realistic porcelain pastries were used as humorous decorations—a luxurious detail that blended everyday life and art.
Augarten embraces this tradition and offers a strikingly realistic porcelain box in the shape of a classic hand-rolled bread roll. The seemingly crispy surface and familiar shape create a charming surprise, as a durable object is concealed beneath the pastry.
This tin embodies typical Viennese design: sophisticated, slightly ironic, and high-quality. It is particularly suitable as an original gift or as a decorative highlight on a table, shelf, or desk. 
Timeless design objects with function
Augarten's porcelain boxes demonstrate how masterful craftsmanship, natural forms, and cultural history can merge to create modern collector's items. They are both functional objects and small works of art that lend personality to rooms without being obtrusive.
For curated living concepts — for example in the context of design foyer — such objects are ideal: They combine Viennese tradition with contemporary style and possess a durable quality that transcends short-term trends.
Author: Gabriele Bittermann/www.design-foyer.com
