Posted 3 years ago
Biju
(6 items)
Hi, I recently acquired this pitcher but cannot figure out the maker (see mark in photo) or the approximate age. Obviously seems German from the writing and markings, but I can't say which region, which maybe someone can tell from the armorial markings. Any help with identifying will be much appreciated.
Well what I see immediately is your lion in Pic #4. They come in different forms and how they are posed tells us the attitude. Yours would be known as Lion Rampant. I will see what I can find for the mark on the bottom. This well could be German but could also be Swiss. Depends on the dialect and it has been too many years for me to be able to translate the writing. Old age has caught up with me.
Thank you fhrjr2 for your reply. I just got an answer now from another forum. I was told that this is from the August Saeltzer Factory (Germany) in the latter part of 19th century and the image is of Wartburg castle. Could possibly be a medicine jug.
Heraus mit dem Wort, wenn es wahr ist; hinab mit dem Trunk, wenn er klar ist.
It’s a Thuringian saying.
That is a beautiful portrayal of Die Wartburg. And Luther was in hiding there from May 1521 to March 1522 …. and the motto still rings true, I think.
The lion rampant is probably a reference to the Ludovingian coat of arms …. the rulers of Thuringia : a lion rampant barry argent and gules, the so-called lion of Hesse.
“Speak out if it's true; down with the drink when it is clear.”
Thank you Vetraio50. Great info!