The Hunter’s Funeral is a theme found in many European cultures and countries.
It is typically seen as animals of the forest, who, once hunted, are now escorting
the hunter’s coffin in a procession in a fantastic reversal of roles. It is both
satirical and solemn, in addition to being paradoxical. It may also reflect the
reverence the hunter once had for his quarry is now being returned by the forest
animals out of respect. Sociologically, it suggests inversion of the structure
of power found in an oppressive hierarchy.
The scene on this stein depicts a fox leading the procession
reading from a Bible
followed by a hare with a cross, various birds overhead, a boar carrying a shovel,
four deer supporting the coffin, followed by the hunter’s horse (still saddled)
and his hounds. Also, there is an owl and a squirrel sitting on the
coffin and a hunter’s horn on top as well. The layout of the images on the stein is very similar to that in
a painting (artist unknown) of a hunter's funeral shown just below. The porcelain inlay lid is of a hunter surveying the field.
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