Large Antique German Hand-Painted Blacksmith Forge Bellows, 1901

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This type of bellows was popular in Europe, especially in German-speaking countries, and often had an ornate form, such as … Read more This type of bellows was popular in Europe, especially in German-speaking countries, and often had an ornate form, such as the one with the date 1901 and the motto: "Schaff und erwirb, zahl Steuern und stirb", which means: "Work and earn, pay taxes and die". Similar bellows from the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century were used in large furnaces or forges. They were rarely richly decorated (painted with floral motifs, with folk maxims) and were also a decorative element, not just a functional one. The maxim "Work and earn, pay taxes and die" is a famous saying that was and used as an ironic commentary on a life subordinated to economic and fiscal obligations - known since the 19th century, and gained popularity especially during the tax reforms in Germany and Austria, also as a criticism of the tax system. See less