Happy Father’s Day! Take dad out for a beer, then explore the curious history of this beer pit

Happy Father’s Day! Take dad out for a beer, then explore the curious history of this beer pitcher from c. 1880 Germany, on view now in Scenes from the Collection. The six-pointed star, commonly thought to be an ancient symbol of Jewish identity, actually assumed this significance fairly late. In fact, the hexagram has undergone numerous changes in meaning over time as well as being a widespread motif in other cultures. In southern Germany, “brauerstern” or brewer’s star, was the symbol for beer brewing. It had no Jewish meaning, but in the 18th century German hop traders were often Jewish. Whether the star on this one is Jewish or not is therefore anyone’s guess.