Topic: Need Help To Identify Maker of a Jungfraubecher

This topic contains 3 replies, has 2 voices, and was last updated by smazzone 6 months ago.

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October 18, 2020 at 9:52 am #49912 Reply

smazzone
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I have an old cast pewter jungfraubecher that has a hallmark on the bottom of the small cup that depicts an angel with a sword in one hand and a balance scale in the other. The words “FEIN ZINN” is imprinted above the angel. Below the angel are also imprinted either the initials “ZMN” or “NWZ”, depending on how one orients the angel. I know that according to Gary Kirsner’s “The Beer Stein Book,” the term “FEIN ZINN” came into use in the 1800s to indicate an item was made from high quality lead-free pewter. What I don’t know is who the maker might be. I’ve tried Stein Marks and several other reference works to no avail. Can anyone shed light on who the maker of this piece might be? Thanks.
October 18, 2020 at 3:16 pm #49933 Reply

Ron

smazzone,

The angel with a sword and scales is a quality mark generally found on continental pewter. ZMN might be the pewterer. Try looking for a pewter with the initials ZM in Nuremberg.
October 19, 2020 at 9:12 am #49991 Reply

smazzone
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Thanks Ron – Yeah, I figured that the “ZMN” or “NWZ” was likely to be the manufacturer. I also figure that the Z might stand for Zinnwerke, or some such. The “N” could well stand for Nuremberg, were the jungfraubecher presumably was born, or something else entirely. Then there is the “M” or “W”, whichever it is depending on how you orient it. I’ve continued to search to no avail. I’ve just ordered a copy of “Pewter Marks of the World” from eBay. Maybe that will shed some light.
October 20, 2020 at 11:03 am #50094 Reply

smazzone
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So, after using various combinations of search terms on Google, I was successful in determining the manufacturer of the piece. It’s Zinn Menna Nuremberg. The material I uncovered gives the history of the firm and shows the firm’s logo as the angel with sword in one hand, balance scale in the other, and the letters ZMN beneath the angel.
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