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Large Two-Handled Stoneware Tankard, Girmscheid – Westerwald – Germany – 20th Century
€39Bid from €35
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This imposing two-handled tankard belongs to the stoneware tradition of the Westerwald region of Germany, whose ceramic production is particularly recognizable by its characteristic combination of gray stoneware and cobalt blue decoration. The piece bears the handwritten inscription "Handarbeit Girmscheid" on its base, indicating handcrafted production by the Girmscheid company. Founded in Höhr at the end of the 19th century, the Matthias Girmscheid factory is part of the long history of Westerwald workshops, especially renowned for their tankards and decorated stoneware. With its impressive presence at 20 cm high and an opening of approximately 9.5 cm in diameter, this tankard is distinguished above all by its unusual shape with two large, symmetrical handles. Their slender design complements a generous cylindrical body, highlighted at the base and neck with a deep cobalt blue. The hand-painted decoration draws on the traditional Westerwald style, featuring a large stylized flower surrounded by freely drawn foliage and scrolls. The intense blue contrasts with the light gray tone of the stoneware and retains the nuances inherent to the handcrafted technique and firing process. The inscription "Damen-Maß," also painted in blue, appears on the front. This inscription, which can be translated as "ladies' measure," places the tankard within a Germanic tradition often tinged with humor and lends it a rather delightful character. The two handles then take on their full meaning in this deliberately unique piece, a departure from the classic cylindrical tankard with a single handle. This Girmscheid production dates from the second half of the 20th century and fully preserves the traditional aesthetic of Westerwald stoneware, perpetuated by the region's workshops well after the war. The tankard is in excellent overall condition. The minor surface irregularities, variations in material, and nuances in the decoration visible in the photographs attest to its handcrafted nature and contribute to the piece's character. A beautiful German ceramic piece with character, both a traditional object of use and a decorative piece, whose dimensions, cobalt decoration and above all the rare silhouette with two handles give it a particularly appealing presence.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsBlueMaterialCeramicNumber of items1Height20 cmWidth9 cmDepth1 cm
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ProfessionalSaint symphorien des bois, FranceOn Whoppah since August 2026 • 1 sale