Bee

Honey Bee

A tribute to Cincinnati’s golden legacy—and the tiny workers who keep our world alive.

In the late 1800s, Charles F. Muth became known as The Honey King of Cincinnati. Born in 1834 in Hessen, Germany, Muth arrived in Cincinnati at 19 and eventually left the family dyeing business behind to chase something sweeter—beekeeping.

After traveling the country and settling with his wife in Cincinnati’s Brighton district, Muth opened a small grocery dedicated to bee products. He created and sold beeswax, honey knives, and—most notably—his patented square glass honey jars, which came in four sizes and became a staple among beekeepers nationwide.

Over the decades, Muth developed multiple tools to improve hive care and honey extraction. His family business endured for nearly a century, passing through three generations before closing its doors after 92 years.

Though Muth’s story ends in personal tragedy, his legacy lives on through the beekeeping innovations he pioneered—and the awareness he unintentionally sparked.

Today, honey bees are facing global threats—from pesticides and habitat loss to fungal infections and climate change. Their decline puts our food system at risk, as bees are responsible for pollinating much of the world’s fruits, vegetables, and flowering crops.

This glass piece, Honey Bee, honors Charles Muth’s contributions while reminding us of the urgent need to protect these essential creatures.

A portion of proceeds will help raise awareness through groups like the Southwest Ohio Beekeepers Association (SWOBA), which continues to advocate for bee preservation—with memberships starting at just $5 per year.