#Germanys #Collectibles #Steins #Kugel #Cuckoo #Clocks #WorthPoint
Are you interested in finding the best antiques, collectibles, and souvenirs while traveling abroad? Check out our W.O.W. (WorthPoint in the Old World) articles for tips on the best finds and where to find them. Next stop: Germany!
Guten Tag! Are you planning a trip to Germany soon? Do you love all things vintage and collectible? Are you curious about the best vintage German collectibles to bring home as souvenirs? Read on to learn more about everything from beer steins to cuckoo clocks and my top ten German collectibles.
While vintage shopping may be at the forefront of your mind on a trip to Germany, remember that Deutschland is a country primarily full of history, art, architecture, and, of course, sausage and beer. Before you plunge into a major shopping trip, familiarize yourself with the country and enjoy the palaces of Dresden, Berlin’s rich contemporary art culture, the verdant beauty of Bavaria, and the abundant grandiosity of Neuschwanstein Castle.
Germany’s Christkindlmarkt
For many folks, Germany is synonymous with Christmastime. Cities such as Nuremberg host a wonderful Christkindlesmarkt or “Christmas market” where the streets are decorated with hundreds of sparkling lights and Christmas trees, and the shops and stalls are stocked to the gills with handmade wooden toys, nutcrackers, and more. Some markets have daily parades, concerts, and demonstrations by artisans in candle making, wood carving, and glass blowing.
These events are perfect places to pick up a Christmas-themed souvenir, and most towns also have vintage or antique shops where you can find more unusual and aged examples. Käthe-Wohlfahrt is one of the most famous German makers of Christmas décor, making tree ornaments and stand-alone items such as music boxes.
Kugels & Krampus
Other Christmas goods to hunt for in antique shops include glass kugels, nutcrackers, Erzgebirge wooden figures, and Santa or “Weihnachtsmann” figures. Children who have had a naughty year may be visited by “Krampus” instead of Santa, a frightening horned creature described as half-demon/half-goat. Towns that host a “Krampuslauf” (Krampus run) or parade of young folks dressed in Krampus costumes may have a souvenir Krampus figurine for you to pick up.
Finally, many Pennsylvania Dutch folks are familiar with the Belsnickel figure, a cross between Santa and Krampus. The Belsnickel is native to regions of Germany, such as Saarland, but is also a common sight today in some Lancaster County, PA, holiday markets.
Prost!
For some tipplers, Germany is synonymous with beer. True, festivals such as Munich’s Oktoberfest are world-famous and replicated on a smaller scale throughout the country, leading to the production of a market of beer-themed goods. While most modern German folks would shy away from consuming their national beverage out of an antique gaily decorated stein, these make fine collectibles to bring back to the States if only for display.
Mettlach is the most famous beer stein manufacturer. It was in business from 1885 to 1910 and made everything from unusual “tree trunk” relief steins to more traditional oversized lidded examples.
On-the-Wall German Goods
Germany has always had a vibrant arts culture, with Berlin as its current epicenter. However, any museum in Germany may boast art on the wall by modern German masters such as Paul Klee, Josef Albers, Joseph Beuys, and Georg Baselitz. Certainly, keep an eye out for older works by everyone from Albrecht Dürer to Hans Holbein the Younger and women artists who are only now getting deserved recognition, such as Käthe Kollwitz and Leni Riefenstahl. Berlin, Weimar, and Dessau-Roßlau are all destinations for lovers of all things Bauhaus.
One of my favorite spots to pick up something to bring home representing the art and artists of a particular country like Germany is the fabled “museum shop.” These designations have just gotten better and better over the years, with some even selling “vintage” goods from various art movements such as Bauhaus and Brutalism. At the very least, you can pick up a postcard or small print of your favorite German artwork for your wall.
Off-the-Wall German Goods
One of the most “off the wall” vintage German souvenirs is, well, a piece of a wall—the Berlin Wall, that is. You may find chunks of this demolished historic barrier both in souvenir shops and vintage shops, sometimes ensconced in a small glass showcase with a plaque or certificate of authenticity.
While most German food lovers first think of pretzels and wurst, the gummy bear is a more “off the wall” German food familiar to collectors. Gummy bears or “Gummibären” were invented by Hans Riegel Sr. in 1922, and his company, Haribo, is still thriving today.
Other less literal “off the wall” souvenirs include vintage West German art pottery, some of which have been termed “Fat Lava” ceramics. Fat Lava pottery is fairly easy to spot with its explosive, drippy, and often chunky glazes and finishes.
Much of West German art pottery presents a more sleek and refined profile and, thus, is a more versatile addition to many home décor styles. West German art pottery was manufactured during the general period of West Germany from 1949 to 1990. Since this period coincides with the continued popularity of all things mid-century, West German art pottery has become a hot collectible and is not as easy to find in vintage and antique shops.
Keep an eye out for vases, bottles, and jars by famous makers such as Carstens, Scheurich, and Dümler & Breiden. These makers were all quite prolific until the 1970s, so it would not be unusual to stumble upon a piece during your shopping forays. Just don’t forget the bubble wrap when you pack these delicate ceramics to take home upon bidding “Auf Wiedersehen” to Deutschland!
Germany’s Top Ten Best Collectibles:
- Beer Steins (Mettlach, etc.)
- Cuckoo Clocks
- Erzgebirge Wooden Figures
- West German Art Pottery such as “Fat Lava”
- Glass Kugels or Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas Décor
- Dinnerware by Meissen or Rosenthal
- Bauhaus Housewares
- Nutcrackers
- A Piece of the Berlin Wall
- Haribo Gummies
Amy Moyer is the proprietor of Antmuffin: Art, Antiques & Collectibles. She holds a B.A. in Visual Art from Brown University and lives in Boston.
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