Basle wine measure

Description

Since the Middle Ages wine had been subject to several taxes, two of which were especially important to the town, the 'Pfundzoll' and the 'Ungeld'. The 'Pfundzoll' was an import duty levied on all goods intended for resale. The 'Ungeld' was a tax on consumption, and the wine 'Ungeld' was one of the city's most lucrative sources of income; in accounts of weekly income it regularly headed the list. As the taxes were reckoned by fluid quantity, great importance was attached to measuring and checking the measures. The town had acquired the right to calibrate wine measures from the bishop around the mid C14. The Weinleutenzunft (vintners' guild) was entrusted with carrying out the measuring and checking it. The calibration of barrels was known as 'sinnen' , and that of smaller containers as 'fechten' . Two 'Fechtmeister' from the Weinleutenzunft had to calibrate all the vessels used for selling wine once a year. If the vessels had passed inspection, they were marked with the Basle crosier and the coat of arms of the guild, a measuring pail. This round bellied jug was probably used by the guild as a master measure. It holds 16 'Mass' (= 22,72 l) or a half 'Ohm' (awm).