Call me old-fashioned, but I really love this simple
and beautiful “Old Viennese Rose” from the Vienna Porcelain Manufactory Augarten. Even though I am not the type of person to have complete Meissen
porcelain dinnerware in a glass cabinet in my dining room (like our
grandmothers did), this is probably the only flower-patterned dinnerware I
would really like to have.
Last time I stayed in Vienna, I went on a guided tour
through the Vienna Porcelain Manufactory Augarten. During the tour, we visited
the artists who paint all the porcelain by hand. There was one lady who
patiently worked on the “Purple Rose” pattern. In the manufactory’s shop and
museum I saw the “Old Viennese Rose” porcelain again. A few days later I
visited some good friends, and I spotted it again, the good old Viennese Rose.
When I came back home to Switzerland, a very, very dear friend and a
former working colleague posted the same “Viennese Rose” post stamp on my
Facebook wall.
This “Rose” seems to follow me. Even though the
“Viennese Purple Rose” was created in the era of Biedermeier, it didn’t lose
any of its popularity.
A few weeks ago, I checked the Austrian online selling
platform for the vintage articles and I was surprised that there are so many of
the old complete Augarten’s “Old Viennese Rose” sets that are still offered for
sale. Many times it was noted that the porcelain dinnerware is old, but never
used. It had been locked up in some grandma’s glass cabinet.
For many people, this dinnerware was obviously too
precious for a daily use. Also, I can imagine that it was purchased as dowry
for the wedding. Maybe it was just a matter of prestige to own this particular
porcelain dinnerware.
One thing is sure: if I had the "Old Viennese
Rose" porcelain cup, I would enjoy drinking my tea out of it.
