“Very nice, but I wouldn’t like to drink from it,” says Ulrich Kuhn about the mug that he wants to sell at “Bares für Rares”. Horst Lichter also reacted in two ways when he saw the object: “Oh my God,” exclaims the moderator, and speaks of the “joke mug”.
Friederike Werner contradicts him. “I take it a little more seriously,” says the expert about the drinking vessel, which is built in the shape of a skull. After all, the two agree that it comes from a student association. Kuhn got the mug from his grandfather, but they don’t drink from it. It is in the display case of the 53-year-old police administration officer at home.
In her expertise, Friederike Werner emphasizes that the jug looks extraordinarily real, even though it is made of porcelain and not real bones. The skull rests on a book that points to a fraternity – because it is about the commercial book. In it, students collected their songs for pubs and parties.
The book is inscribed with the saying “Gaudeamus igitur juvenes dum sumus”, Latin for “So we rejoice as long as we are young”. Hence the skull: it is about transience. According to the expert, this plays a special role for the students. You live in the moment, but at the same time prepare yourself for the serious side of life. However, the skull could also have been a symbol for the medical school.
One thing is certain: the jug was made in Thuringia around 1920. Kuhn wants 300 euros for it. Werner is a little more optimistic: she thinks 350 to 450 euros is possible.
In any case, there seems to be interest in the dealer’s room: “I really like drinking beer,” says Julian Schmitz-Avila when examining this unusual vessel. Everyone present agrees that this is a truly original object. Christian Vechtel starts the auction with 100 euros, he also made the highest bid of 300 euros.
However, Ulrich Kuhn does not want to sell for this: He refers to the higher level of expertise. In addition, the wedding day is approaching. The other dealers persuade Vechtel to add another 20 euros. But the salesman has the presence of mind: “30 would be nice, because it’s our 30th wedding anniversary.” He has convinced Vechtel – the deal comes about for 330 euros. In the end everyone is happy. Only Julian Schmitz-Avila will have to look for another vessel to drink beer.
Source: “Bares for Rares” in the ZDF media library
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