Antique German Beer Stein 4F Sports Bicycle Bike Ludwig Jahn R.Hanke #890 c1890s

Description

Antique German Beer Stein 4F Sports Bicycle Bike Ludwig Jahn by R.Hanke #890 c.1890
Description:
This antique German beer stein is dedicated to Turnfest - the most popular German sports event in the late 19th - early 20th century. The "4F" logo which stands for "Frisch, Fromm, Froh, Frei" (fresh, pious, happy, free). It was the symbol of the 4F movement that has united the "Turnverein" or gymnastic sports clubs all over Germany into a nationwide movement.
The stein is made of saltglazed stoneware - the classical German grey stoneware with cobalt blue glaze. The picture on front is the portrait of Ludwig Jah (1778 - 1852), the "father" of German 4F gymnastics festivals, a man who made enormous contributions to popularizing sports activities - he is credited with design of gymnastics bean, parallel bars, vaulting horse, etc. He organized the first 4F sports events that later became so popular. On the side of the stein we can see Putti or Amours playing with barbells and dumbells, fencing swords and other sports attributes.   There are also banners with with various sports and patriotic sayings - like "Gut Heil!" - the official motto of 4F movement. The inscription at the bottom reads:
“Lasst Kraft uns erwerben mit Herz u. mit Hand,
zu leben u. zu sterben für’s heil’ge Vaterland.”
(Let us acquire strength with heart and with hand,
to live and to die for the Holy Fatherland.)
The lid is very ornate pewter with a figure of a bicycle rider on top - apparently it was a special order lid for a bicycle sports enthusiast.
The stein does not have a manufacturer's mark, only the model number "890". But most likely it was made by R.Hanke - all the features point to this well-known stein maker. The stein is in a excellent condition.
It is 8.5" tall to the top of the finial, 0.5L capacity.
Condition:
Excellent
Year:
1890s
Country:
Germany
Maker:
R. Hanke
Height:
8.5 in.
Materials:
stoneware
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