Stoneware stein with blue glaze
Note the relief images of the gymnasts on this stein, as well as the prominently featured image of Father Jahn.
1880-1934
Pottery stein
Note the gymnastic scenes on this stein, along with an image of Father Jahn. This stein's manufacturer is Reinhold Merkelbach.
1880-1934
Pottery stein with 4F flag
Note the phrase "Frisch, Fromm, Fröhlich Frei" on this stein. This motto was popularized by Father Jahn (also pictured on this stein), who promoted gymnastics in early 19th-century Germany.
1880-1934
Stein with gymnastic scenes
Various gymnastic scenes are pictured on this stein, showing the range of physical activities that young Turners (gymnasts) engaged in. This stein's manufacturer is Dumler and Breiden.
1880-1934
Stein with Munich child
This stein features the Munich child--also known as the Munich angel--which has been featured on the city of Munich's coat of arms since at least the eighteenth century.
1914-1934
Stein with gymnast and pommel horse
This stoneware stein features a gymnast at a pommel horse, and is signed by the artist Franz Ringer.
1880-1934
Cameo pokal with gymnasts
This pokal, or large standing cup, features gymnasts in various scenes. It bears the name of Jean-Baptiste Stahl, a stein artist noted for his use of cameos on steins and pokals. This pokal was manufactured by Villeroy & Boch, a company that made Mettlach steins and pokals; the manufacturer's stamp on the bottom of this item suggests it was made after 1882.
1880-1932
Pottery stein of Nurnberg festival
This pottery stein commemorates a 1903 gymnastics festival in Nurnberg (also known as Nuremberg). The inscription on this stein's lid bears the city in which the festival was held, and the inscription on the body of the stein reads as follows: "Gut Heil! X. Deutsches Turnfest in Nurnberg 1903."
1903-1934
Pottery stein with gymnasts and 4F symbol
This pottery stein bears detailed relief images of gymnasts. The inscription on the bod of the stein reads "Gut Heil! Frisch Fromm Frohlich Frei! Turnerei und Gerstensaft Schaffen echte Manneskraft." The inscription along the bottom reads "Es lebe hoch die Turnerei Sie macht uns froh Sie macht uns frei." These inscriptions translate, respectively, as "Good health! Fresh, free, strong, and true! Gymnastics and beer create real virility." "Long live gymnastics; it makes us happy, it makes us free."
1880-1934
Mettlach stein with gymnasts and 4F shield
This stein, manufactured by Villeroy & Bosch, is one example of a Mettlach that bears many symbols associated with the Turner movement in Germany. The inscription on the lid reads "Kein grossenes Gut, als frohen Muth, which roughly translates as "There is no greater good than joyful courage." It also bears a shield with images of an owl, a sword and a torch, which respectively symbolize wisdom, the political and religious fight for justice and equality, and enlightenment. These symbols indicate the Turners' association with Freethinkers (Friedenker). For more about these symbols, see Annette Hofman's article "From Jahn to Lincoln: Transformation of Turner Symbols in a New Cultural Setting" (full citation is on the 'Sources' page of this site).
1896-1934