Germany has a long and rich tradition of producing beer mugs also known as beer steins. They were made out of various materials, including metal, wood, stoneware, glass, and even ivory. By the 16th century, two traditional designs of beer steins had been developed: tapered and barrel-shaped mugs.
Around this time, an important attribute was added to German beer steins — a metal lid, which was usually made of pewter. Lids were made of different shapes. Some were flat, while others were taller and dome-shaped. The hinged lid was equipped with a thumb lever so that it was possible to open and close the lid easily with just one hand.
Beer steins are distinguished by their decoration, which turned everyday objects into works of art. The mug surface could be decorated with carving, painting, and relief ornamentation depicting various images. These included Biblical scenes and historic events, heraldic and ornamental compositions, copies of contemporary engravings, and scenes from everyday life.
Many craftsmen and factories chose bar scenes for their products. Although seemingly unsophisticated, such scenes exuded warmth and humor and were sometimes accompanied by inscriptions, as is the case with the mug from the museum’s collection.
This mug has a traditional cylindrical shape tapering towards the top. It is surrounded by two relief circles — at the top and at the bottom. One of them is shaped like a vine and the other one is like a branch with green berries. The handle shaped like two interlaced branches also features similar berries.
The relief images on the mug’s walls were painted using bright colors. Against the dark-blue background under the branches of an oak tree, there is a feast around a large wooden barrel. All the people wear bright clothes with large white collars in the style of the 17th century. The man to the right holds a smoking pipe with a long stem, while the man to the left holds a jug.
The image was crafted by a talented artist: the figures form a harmonious composition. A conical-shaped pewter lid is attached to the handle. It is decorated with carved bands of floral patterns.
Around this time, an important attribute was added to German beer steins — a metal lid, which was usually made of pewter. Lids were made of different shapes. Some were flat, while others were taller and dome-shaped. The hinged lid was equipped with a thumb lever so that it was possible to open and close the lid easily with just one hand.
Beer steins are distinguished by their decoration, which turned everyday objects into works of art. The mug surface could be decorated with carving, painting, and relief ornamentation depicting various images. These included Biblical scenes and historic events, heraldic and ornamental compositions, copies of contemporary engravings, and scenes from everyday life.
Many craftsmen and factories chose bar scenes for their products. Although seemingly unsophisticated, such scenes exuded warmth and humor and were sometimes accompanied by inscriptions, as is the case with the mug from the museum’s collection.
This mug has a traditional cylindrical shape tapering towards the top. It is surrounded by two relief circles — at the top and at the bottom. One of them is shaped like a vine and the other one is like a branch with green berries. The handle shaped like two interlaced branches also features similar berries.
The relief images on the mug’s walls were painted using bright colors. Against the dark-blue background under the branches of an oak tree, there is a feast around a large wooden barrel. All the people wear bright clothes with large white collars in the style of the 17th century. The man to the right holds a smoking pipe with a long stem, while the man to the left holds a jug.
The image was crafted by a talented artist: the figures form a harmonious composition. A conical-shaped pewter lid is attached to the handle. It is decorated with carved bands of floral patterns.
