The Hop-Flower Emblem

Trinkbecher

Emblem of Karlsbad

Then in the same row of houses, were the stables for the horses of the Imperial and Royal Thurn and Taxis Post. The coachman used to meet at the Hopfenstock. It was an area in the tavern, with an engraved glass door showing flowery hops. The name Hopfenstock remained, even if later on there should emerge the fourth largest hotel in Karlsbad. The hop flower was also emblem for everything: dishes, cutlery, napkins, curtains,  bed linen, everything from the finest materials.

After the Second World War, when we had to leave Sudetenland,  my mother wraped  some stuff in a twenty Meter  long damask tablecloth which was interwoven with hops flowers. Later she cut the tablecloth into more pieces and made bedsheets from it.

I still have a soup plate and a coat hanger.