Wine jug c. 1938

Fritz Boehmer crafted this design for a wine jug, rendering it with watercolor and graphite. Here, the clasped hands, surrounded by stars, command our attention. The image of the handshake is an ancient gesture, isn't it? A motif for peace and alliance extending back to antiquity. We see it on Roman coins, symbols of concordia—harmony—between people or nations. Yet, Boehmer places it within a field of stars, evoking a sense of aspiration, perhaps even destiny. Consider how this symbol of unity contrasts with the spirals below, motifs often linked to concepts of change and cosmic energy. In ancient Crete, spirals adorned Minoan pottery, each swirl a representation of life's eternal dance. But here, they seem almost restless, caught between the terrestrial handshake and the celestial stars. The tension between earthly bonds and ethereal aspirations creates a potent, almost subliminal pull. This wine jug invites us not just to drink, but to ponder the confluence of human connection and cosmic longing.