There are two trains of thought behind occupational steins. The most prevelant is that of “what kind of work you do”. Many steins have been made and given over the years as gifts to artisans who possibly did some qaulity work for a customer and the customer wanted to show their appreciation. There are those collectors that specialize in steins depicting one’s occupation.
The representation of the occupation is usually shown on the body, lid, and/or thumlift. The scene is most normally of a worker in action or in uniform, or the products or tools of the occupation are shown.
This is an “Occupation” stein of a Coal Miner.
The coal miner stein has Maker’s Mark – Simon Peter Gerz, c. 1900 to 1960, Germany. Gerz steins are still made today.
Some occupational steins are at first glance hard to recognize as “occupation” steins. An example would be bucket, stirrer or scoop in a barrel (brewer), scissors and divider (tailor), oxheads or pretzels (butchers and bakers). Books would indicate professional occupations such as lawyers or teachers. When famous craftsmen are depicted such as Johan Gutenberg the Hapsburg Double Headed Eagle will be depicted.
Occupational steins can be found from all eras and in all materials. The most commanly collected occupationals are those from around 1900 that have steepled pewter lids and porcelain or stoneware bodies.
Thats it for today fellow collectors. In my next post I will discuss a few steins from the War years, primarily WWII. So until then Happy collecting and remember the best is yet to come.
NOTE: Don’t forget to look for my updates in all post as I buy, sell and trade in each collection. (update to “Taking Care of Your Nippon” Collection)
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