In my collection I had a couple of ruby cut-to-clear glass steins that had strange symbols on them.
So after I acquired the below set of four beakers (shown just below the stein) I decided it was time to learn just what they stood for. Hopefully this little bit of stein info may keep others from digging through the German – English translations pages on the net, saving a little time plus assisting in the understanding of the subject matter.
While this article only shows symbols on ruby stained pieces, they of course were also done on beakers and steins of every stained color (also on clear glass) I have a fantastic small diamond cut clear glass beaker with a set on lid that has ‘the cornucopia’ engraved on it.
The scenes also do not have to be engraved. There are a couple examples shown below where the scenes were simply painted on the vessels, including beer steins.
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Below: An engraved Ruby stained with hand painting, German beer stein. Circa 1840. [FWTD]
“U. FREUDE” – [WITH STRINGED INSTRUMENT AND HORNS]
“GLUCK” – WITH A CORNUCOPIA, WHEAT SHEATHS, (THE DIVINE HARVEST ) AND GRAPE VINES (THE CEREMONIAL WINE)
“GESUNDHEIT” – NOT A CHALICE SHOWN THIS TIME – THE URN HAS A DRAPERY WITH DANGELS OVER ITS TOP, MEANING “MOURNING”
Below: Three engraved ruby cut-to-clear symbols on a cased white glass over clear glass beaker. There are three scenes on all four of the beakers. I think, a very nice set to own. [FWTD]
BEAKER ONE
“GLUCK” = LUCK / HAPPINESS / FORTUNE [ALL THE BEST], CORNUCOPIA WITH FLOWERS
FREUDE” = JOY [PLEASURE]; LYRE (STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT) AND FLOWERS.
“GESUNDHEIT” = HEALTHINESS / WELL BEING [WITH A CHALICE, SNAKE AND SHAFT], ALSO= SALUBRIOUSNESS = SPIRITUAL WELL BEING.
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BEAKER TWO
“FLEISS” = INDUSTRIOUSNESS [DILIGENCE]; WITH OLD STYLE MAN-MADE BEE HIVES.
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‘U (UND) FREUDE” = JOY / PLEASURE / AND FUN. SEVERAL HORNS, MUSIC AND LYRE
‘GESUNDHEIT” = SALUBRIOUSNESS [SPIRITUAL WELL BEING], SUN’S HALO AND RAYS ARE ASSUMED TO BE “SUN RISING”
BEAKER THREE
‘GESUNDHEIT” = (AS OTHERS ABOVE) SALUBRIOUSNESS.
“GLUCK” = LUCK / HAPPINESS / FORTUNE [ALL THE BEST] ; ALMOST THE SAME DESIGN – CORNUCOPIA WITH FLOWERS.
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“FREUDE” = ALMOST IDENTICAL SCENE AS ON BEAKER ONE. LYRE (STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT) AND FLOWERS = JOY [PLEASURE]
BEAKER FOUR
“GESUNDHEIT;” WITH CHALICE = MEANING AS ABOVE.
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“GLUCK” = CORNUCOPIA WITH FLOWERS AND GRAPES, MEANING AS ABOVE.
“U (UND) FREUDE” = , WITH LYRE, HORN AND MUSIC SHEETS. MEANING AS ABOVE [END OF THE FOUR BEAKERS – ALL FWTD]
Then I bought this little gem of a beaker. It is ruby glass – not ruby stained [!] Probably Eggermann’s workshop. Dated 1844. [FWTD]
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“GLAUBE” = BELIEF / FAITH – WITH THE 10 COMMANDMENTS ON TABLETS, CHALICE, HOST, & CROSS
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“HOFFNUNN” = HOPE / PROMISE – THE ANCHOR IN CHRISTIANITY USUALLY SIGNIFIES: “JESUS.”
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“GESUNDHEIT” = SALUBRIOUSNESS [SPIRITUAL WELL BEING.]
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“GLUCK” – LUCK / HAPPINESS / FORTUNE [ALL THE BEST] – (WITH A BEAUTIFULLY ENGRAVED CORNUCOPIA.)
“FREUDE” = JOY / PLEASURE
The following photos of symbols are taken from a 12 inch tall ruby stained glass “pokal”, made by Josephinenhütte in Bavaria, German. Circa 1840- 50.[FWTD]
[FWTD] The individual panels are shown below:
FIRST: “HERGUÜGEN” = EXTENDED LIFE AND JOY”
SECOND: “FLEISS” = INDUSTRIOUSNESS [DILIGENCE]
THIRD: “GLUCK” – WITH A CORNUCOPIA, WHEAT SHEATHS, = LUCK / HAPPINESS / FORTUNE [ALL THE BEST]
FOURTH: “U (UND) FREUDE” = WITH LYRE, HORN AND MUSIC SHEETS, WITH UNUSUAL RAYS COMING FROM THE TOP OF LYRE.
LARGE: 11 INCH TALL (1.5 LITER) BEER STEIN WITH A SET –ON-LID / GERMAN. CIRCA 1865. [FWTD]
Details of the engraved scenes on the one liter set-on-lid stein, above. Left: “HOFFNUNN” = HOPE / PROMISE, THE ANCHOR IN CHRISTIANITY USUALLY SIGNIFIES “JESUS.” Right: LIEBE” = LOVE / AFFECTION .
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Below: A ruby stained small beaker with all hand painted scenes; very much cheaper originally than the engraved ones. Germany. Circa 1850-60. [FWTD]
[L] CORNICOPIA = HAPPINESS / FORTUNE [R] PHOENIX = RESURRECTION
[BOTTOM] BEE HIVE = INDUSTRIOUSNESS [DILIGENCE]
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.5 liter with hand painted and “pin scratched” design around the top and bottom of the body and three panels, with the center one left blank. Circa 1860.
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Above: A very well done, .5 liter blown clear glass with ruby stained roundels engraved with all religious “Fellowship” symbols) with no “Luck” symbol here!) The hand painted porcelain lid decor shows that this is definitively a stein made for a marriage. [FWTD]
NO ENGRAVED WORDING = THE MEANING SHOULD HAVE BEEN “UNDERSTOOD” BY THE NEW OWNER.
NOTE: ALL THREE SCENES SEEM TO BE FLOATING ON CLOUDS. LEFT: THE TYPICAL ANCHOR = “HOFFNUNN” = HOPE; MIDDLE: A HEART WITH THE “CROWN OF THORNS” = MEANS THE LOVE OF GOD (JESUS’ SACRIFICE), RIGHT: THE CROSS WITH RAYS = FAITH, PLUS HOLINESS.
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5 INCH BEAKER, RIM HAS BEEN SHORTENED. LID =MISSING? (COMPLIMENTS OF GLASKILIAN.DE. , 2-07)
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“GESUNDHEIT ” = HEALTH “FROHSINN” = CHEERFULNESS
“VERGNÜGEN” = ENJOYMENT “HEIT ERKEIT” = JOVIALITY, CHEERINESS,
BELOW: A FEW OTHER EXAMPLES – OTHER STEINS / VESSELS.
THE HARP = “HEIT ERKEIT” = JOVIALITY, CHEERINESS, PLEASURE
A .5 liter stein, stained, hand painted and with cut -to-clear ovals along the bottom. Circa 1850. [FWTD]
“GESUNDHEIT” / “GLUCK” / U (UND) FREUDE” The flashed blue glass on the body, makes an interesting comparison on this Circa 1860’s beaker, which has a minimum of three symbols engraved together!
“LIEBE” = LOVE, AND AFFECTION.
Mini stein, Circa 1840 4 inches tall. Two love birds together.
ANCHORT- his is on a very well done engraved stein. When I bought this piece I originally thought the anchor was to assist in the miner’s work (see the hat and the small pick hammer.) However I now think it means he has faith that Jesus as God, will look after him down in the mine. [FWTD]
A yellow stained cut-to-clear Fellowship beaker, with nicely done heavy cut base. Bohemian. Circa 1860.
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________OF ADDITIONAL NOTE _______________________
The bowl of Hygeia The “Bowl of Hygeia” symbol is the most widely recognized international symbol of pharmacy. In Greek mythology, Hygeia was the daughter and assistant of Aesculapius (sometimes spelled Asklepios), the God of Medicine and Healing. Hygeia’s classical symbol was a bowl containing a medicinal potion with the serpent of Wisdom (or guardianship) partaking it.
CONTINUING WITH OTHER VERSIONS SEEN THAT COLLECTORS OF THESE MAY WISH TO KNOW ABOUT :
Fellowship – never seen design. Double cornucopias crossed to make a heart at the top, with the cross and anchor. 12- 29 -11 [tsaco]
Above: Three nicely engraved and gold leafed, with enameling on a ruby glass (not stained) – proably Germany, C. 1850.
[END – SOK – RD – 54 / 6]
“When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the USA fire departments usually use water.”
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