This stein depicts Frederich Ludwig Jahn (also known as Father Jahn), the founder of the Turnvereine movement in early nineteenth-century Germany. This particular stein is known as a character stein, because its body, lid, handle, and mountings…
Although most steins and vessels in the Slicer collection bear a 4F shield symbolizing the four F's associated with the Turnvereine movement, this glass depicts the letters F, F, S, and T, which stands for "Frish, Frei, Stark, und Treu" ("fresh,…
This character stein of Nurnberg (Nuremberg) Tower commemorates the July 1903 Turnfest in Nurnberg. Note the prominent image of Father Jahn. This particular stein is known as a character stein, because its body, lid, handle, and mountings combine…
This stein and its inscriptions reinforce the connections among physical fitness, strength, and—of course—drinking. On this particular stein, the inscriptions extol the virtues of physical fitness, an idea underscored by the relief images of…
This stein shows a Turner (gymnast) holding a flag bearing the 4F symbol. Note the barbells and other gymnastic equipment along the bottom, and the inlay lid with the relief image of Father Jahn. It also bears the image of a sword and a torch,…
A variation on the 4F shield was a combination of two F's, an S and T, which represents "Frish, Frei, Stark, und Treu" ("fresh, free, strong, and true"). This variation indicates the Turners’ criticism of religion in the 1850s; they replaced “fromm”…
The items in this collection bear many of the symbols and expressions associated with Father Jahn and the Turnvereine in Germany. One predominant theme is the four F’s (“Frisch, Fromm, Froh, and Frei”), which appear on the steins as either words or…