"Fun in a Tyrolean Tavern", 4 l

Simon Peter Gerz

From the collection of Paulo Vik Falcon

This large stoneware mug was made in the post-war period by the Gerz factory, one of the oldest in Germany.
On the outside of the bottom, there is a branded stamp of the Gerz factory, which it used in the period 1949-1990. However, there is reason to believe that the mug could have been made before the 1970s. There are several explanations for this.
The mug is very massive, reaching a height of 54 cm. The production of such large ceramic items is very energy-intensive. In 1973, West Germany faced the consequences of an energy crisis. This crisis was caused by a sharp increase in oil and gas prices, which was triggered by the OPEC oil embargo in response to NATO's support for Israel during the Yom Kippur War. This led to high inflation and a recession in the West German economy, as well as a surge in research focused on energy efficiency. As a result, the production of giant ceramic mugs was discontinued due to the rapid increase in their cost and the subsequent loss of demand.
On the outside of the bottom of the mug, next to the manufacturer's stamp, there is a volume label of 4 liters. It is important to understand here that for centuries large beer mugs have been made in Germany in order to use them as containers for shipping beer in a tavern to a small group of interconnected visitors. Such bottling mugs are called "beer jug". That is, by analogy with wine jugs, from which drinks were poured into wine glasses during the feast, or as a stem for bottling schnabs into glasses. Consequently, large beer mugs (jugs) in Germany were produced for their intended use, and not as souvenirs. This is evidenced by the fact that the capacity markings were not applied to the souvenirs.
In the upper part of the mug, the inscription "Bei Tanz und Scherz bleibt froh das Herz" is applied in a circle. Translated from German, it means: "When dancing and joking, the heart remains joyful."
The relief drawing depicts a momet of fun in a Tyrolean rural tavern. The drawing is based on the motifs and style of the famous Austrian-German artist Franz von defregger (born on April 30, 1835, in Ederhof near Stronach, East Tyrol, and died on January 2, 1921, in Munich). defregger was considered a master of genre and historical painting.
Many of his works depicted the daily lives and moments of joy of the inhabitants of Tyrolean villages.
Later, during defregger's lifetime, beer mug designers actively drew inspiration from his work.
This 4-liter mug is a testament to that.

View the collection of Paulo Vik Falcon

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