Antique Beer Stein Shooting Fest c.1870s Mettlach Description: This antique German beer stein does not have a mark but was most likely made by Villeroy and Boch/Mettlach. There was an article in "Prosit" magazine identifying steins of this mold with several different designs to Mettlach. Besides, this particula artwork - the exact same drawing - was used for PUG stein No. 593 (1530) dedicated to IX national Shooting Fest in Frankfurt in 1887. This one is dated 1879 but most likely was produced several years earlier. It is hand-painted over transfer outline - the steins of this type preceeded PUG. It is made of very hard vitrified stoneware that resembles porcelain if not for the slightly greyish color. The stoneware of this quality could be produced at this particular time by Villeroy and Boch only - either in Mettlach or other factories that they had. The decoration portraits 2 men with the rifles getting ready for shooting competition, 3 men on front looking at the targets and 2 men on another side holding shooting trophey. The lid is pewter with ceramic inlay showing the Star of David - old German brewery symbol . The thumblift is made in a shape of gnome reading a scroll while sitting on a barrel. The lid is engraved with some sort of dedication with names and Zirkels that suggests it was given as a gift to a Student Association comrade. The stein is in good condition. There are several a small flea-bites and some paint wear on of the bands and but no major chips and no cracks, lines or repairs.The lid is tight, there is no damage or flaws. It is 8" tall to the top of the thumblift, 0.5L capacity. Reference#:   Condition: Good - flea-bites Year: 1870s Country: Germany Maker: Villeroy and Boch/Mettlach Height: 8 in Materials: Stoneware

---

On Oct-04-09 at 15:20:15 PDT, seller added the following information: