Objekt 2114
Cast in the year of the earthquake
Description
On 18 October 1356, Basel was shaken by an earthquake – the strongest ever
reported north of the Alps. Churches and houses collapsed and subsequent
fires and floods caused devastation. Despite a magnitude of 6.6 on the
Richter scale the number of victims was low, a preliminary tremor having
warned inhabitants. The town was quickly rebuilt and in the same year this
new wine measure was cast. It was apparently indispensable as a standard
gauge for calculating the wine tax. Its revenues fed the treasury and were
used to finance the reconstruction.
Object description
Wine measure of the Vintners’ Guild
inscription: In the year of the great earthquake 1356 – thus I want to truthfully recount – I was moulded by the good people of Basel. These verses were written by Ulrich as well as he could, may God and the Virgin Mary save him.
Basel, 1356
bronze
deposited by E. E. Zunft zu Weinleuten
Inv. 1884.168.