Stein Collectors International
Featured Stein:
September 2011
125 Year Anniversary Oktoberfest Stein
By Dave Bruha
![]() Our featured stein is a 1 liter salt-glazed stoneware stein accompanied by a plain pewter lid. The banner along the top reads, “125 Jahre Münchener Oktoberfest”. This is followed by a transfer and enameled design in the shape of a shield depicting a monk standing in the entryway of a gate wearing a black robe, trimmed in gold, and red shoes. His right hand is raised with fingers outstretched while his left hand holds a red book. Poised atop the gate is a lion and above the shield a crown. Below the graphics are the anniversary dates of 1810 –1935. | |
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Image on Stein | Image on Calendar |
Most of us are aware that the city of Munich, or München, derives its name from the word monk. It’s quite understandable that the central figure of the great coat of arms of Munich is therefore a monk. In his left hand he holds a book containing the laws of the city of Munich while his right hand is held up as if taking an oath. The lion above the city gate is the oldest symbol of the Wittelsbach family; the ruling family in Munich from 1240 to 1918. Is the gate depicted on this stein one of the original four city gates of Munich? There is some documentation to suggest it’s the Isartor but personally I see more similarity to Karlstor or the now extinct Schwabinger Tor. | |
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Was there some foresight in using this historic great coat of arms on a 1935 stein? The question certainly needs to be asked for it was the very next year, 1936 that the Nazi Party revised the design by replacing the lion with the Reichsadler (above left). Not until 1949 did Munich return to their historic great coat of arms. The design continues to be used today although it was updated in 1957 by Eduard Ege. On 17 December 1957 the city council passed a resolution making the small version (above right) the officially used coat of arms while the large version would be used only for special occasions. Who did the art work for this 1935 Oktoberfest anniversary stein? The answer remains a mystery and given that the original design dates from the late13th to the early 14th century I doubt we will every find out who the original designer was. |