Name/Title
Beer Coaster — Pivovar U Fleků (Prague), "founded A.D. 1499"Entry/Object ID
2025.1.330Description
Round pressed wood-pulp coaster printed in yellow, green, and black. A standing bear on an anvil tops the design, flanked by "zal. L.P. 1499"; below, an ornate wrought-iron sign frame encloses a roundel of crossed brewers' tools ringed by the green establishment lettering "Pivovar u Fleků."Use
Acquired in Prague by Leopoldo Arús CaraballoContext
Prague brewing ephemera from U Fleků, the historic brewery-restaurant in Nové Město, Prague, which has long advertised a 1499 founding and is known for its dark lager. The bear-on-anvil is its house emblem.
U Fleků is the oldest brewery in Prague, originally founded in 1499, however it was named U Fleků only in 1762. The brewery was nationalized under communist rule, although has since been privatized. In a New York Times article from 1982, U Fleků's director boasts, "he who hasn't been to U Fleku hasn't been to Prague.'' It is likely that Leopoldo Arús Caraballo brought this coaster back to Cuba for his father as a gift.Collection
The Cabrera Arús family collectionMade/Created
Manufacturer
Pivovar U FlekůPlace
City
PragueCountry
CzechoslovakiaRegion
Eastern EuropeContinent
EuropeInscription/Signature/Marks
Type
InscriptionLocation
Front top of coasterTranscription
zal. L.P. 1499Language
CzechMaterial/Technique
PrintedType
InscriptionLocation
Front middle of coasterTranscription
Pivovar u FlekůLanguage
CzechNotes
Printed (Czech): "Pivovar u Fleků" [U Fleků Brewery]; "zal. L.P. 1499" [založeno Léta Páně 1499 — founded A.D. 1499]; bear-on-anvil device; crossed brewers'-tools emblem.
Materials
Material
CardboardMaterial Notes
Pressed wood-pulp board; yellow, green, and black inks.Created By
María A. Cabrera ArúsCreate Date
May 23, 2022Updated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsUpdate Date
June 18, 2026