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Beer Steins
Please be sure to visit our Kaiser Wilhelm II collection.
Also, take a look at our Frederick the Great gallery.
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BISMARK BEER STEIN (Item KSTEIN 1-1) |
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DESCRIPTION: This beer stein depicts raised-relief images of "The Iron Chancellor" and the German National Eagle. The mug is from the American Standard Brewing Company of Baltimore, Maryland, to advertise its "Bismark" beer. This was commonplace to feature the German heroes such as Bismark, Kaisers Wilhelm I and II on products produced by German-American companies such as this one. Most of these articles were destroyed or hidden on the eve of the United States' entry into the conflict of WWI (rare!). It measure 6 ½ inches. PRICE: SOLD |
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GERMAN NAVAL BEER MUG (Item KSTEIN 1-2) |
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DESCRIPTION: This is a very nice little beer stein or mug with the naval ensign and war flag of his majesty Kaiser Wilhelm II supported by the Prussian Charlemagne crown and the fouled anchor. There is an indistinguishable logo on the bottom. There is a hole at the handle top which appears on all mugs of this style. This is for a pewter lid; however, even though all had this hole, not all came with lids. This one never had one.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Imperial Regimental Beer Stein (Item KSTEIN 1-3) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a very handsome regimental beer stein from the First Company, Ninth Wurtemberg Infantry Regiment No. 127 stationed at Ulm from 1904 to 1906. In the lithophane bottom one can see a fine picture of King Ludwig of Bavaria, a sort of hero to all German soldiers. This stein belonged to a musketeer by the name of Baur whose name is also listed with 54 of his comrades down the back of the body near the handle. All the patriotic sayings abound in the design and much of the motif is done with hand painting over the decal to bring out the highlights. The thumb lift is very unusual in that instead of the usual eagle we have a little bird, possibly a wren. The top is, of course, pewter with various patriotic motif employing helmets, weapons, field pack, oak leaves, and, of course, Wilhelm the Kaiser and the Imperial eagle. Victorious German infantrymen stand at the top in joyful exuberance. The stein is tight! and perfect in every way and is one of the most colorful we've seen yet. It is a .5-liter size and it is signed by the maker in Ulm on the Danube. If one wanted a token Imperial beer stein this by all means should be considered. They really don't come better in Imperial infantry steins.
PRICE: SOLD |
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The 1870 Victory Beer Stein with the German "Michel," who Battles the French Emperor |
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| DESCRIPTION: Not often does a decidedly fine art treasure with so much historical importance ever appear on line. This is definitely a museum piece extraordinaire! with a message. It is the Germanophiles dream catch and even the attached pictures cannot do it real justice. It's gorgeous! and personifies the Germanic zeal, determination, and courage as no other art piece ever has with the exception of the SA sport trophy listed elsewhere on the Germania pages. This is also a trophy-one of victory and national unity of the German Fatherland. The Franco-Prussian War, 1870-1871 This was the conflict between France and Prussia that signaled the rise of German military power and imperialism. It was actually provoked to some extent by the Prussian Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, as part of his plan to create a unified German empire. The emergence of Prussia as the leading German power and the increasing unification of the German states were viewed with apprehension by Napoleon III after the Prussian victory in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. The wily Bismarck encouraged the growing rift between Prussia and France to bring the states of Germany into a national union. War preparations were pushed on both sides with remarkable inefficiency in France and with astounding thoroughness in Prussia. There were several immediate pretexts for the inevitable war, which we will not explore here. Suffice to say that the aggressive French Foreign Minister, the Duc de Gramont, played nicely into Bismarck's plans with his insulting anti-German public tirades, and this resulted in the famous EMS dispatch published by Kaiser Wilhelm I of Prussia. This inflamed French tempers and on July 19, 1870, France declared war on Prussia. Partly because they now saw France as the aggressor, the states of Germany enthusiastically joined the north German confederation: just as Bismarck had hoped. The military conduct of the war was for the Germans in the hands of Helmuth Karl Bernhard von Moltke, decidedly a military genius; and, on the French side Napoleon III took active command, but it soon devolved on Marshal Francois Bazaine. The battles were fierce as the Germans crossed the border into Alsace, Wissembourg, Châlons-en-Champagne, Metz, and Vionville, and at Sedan the French emperor and 100,000 French combatants were captured and finally an armistice was signed at the fortress of Belfort on January 28, 1871. The success of this Bismarck plan and resounding victory brought about the first unification of the Germanic states for evermore. The Deutschen Michel had awakened from his deep sleep and triumphed over the ancient French foe. The "German Michael," down through the centuries, was a sleepy-headed character donning a sleeping cap and sometimes a gown, and has personified the German call to newly awakened duty and patriotism. The Deutschen Michel is mentioned as early as 1541 in the proverb collection of the German poet Sebastian Franck, 1499-1543. The Brothers Grimm of Kassel touched on Michel and portrayed him as the sleeping character often in their sagas. They showed him as the suddenly awakened national hero and symbol. The Deutschen Michel is the German "Uncle Sam," or the British John Bull, or the French Marianne. His name to Germans has the connotations of fair, clean, upright German folkdom that now finely woke up from deep sleep. He is aware of the wickedness of the world around. Invariably he was perceived and presented as the Schlafmuetzigenburger or sleepy citizen and portrayed as snoozing comfortably with his ever-present sleep cap and bed roll until he is shocked awake by nefarious goings-on about him. At this point he suddenly springs into action and with courage and resolve he severely punishes the enemy who could be a thief, pickpocket, or traditional enemy to the German Fatherland. The Stein The major message of this magnificent political satire in the form of a typical German beer stein is this: the Deutschen Michel now completely awakened from his sleep starts to pommel another figure, who is obviously Napoleon III mentioned in the foregoing article on the Franco-Prussian War. The French character wears the fore-and-aft hat made famous by his far-more-illustrious ancestor Napoleon Bonaparte. Michel is dressed, as described, in his sleeping cap, but instead of the gown, he wears the traditional German Bavarian Tracht with Lederhosen. His bed and pillow are evidenced, also. Obviously, the French emperor was sneaking up that handle to surprise our young hero, perhaps with intentions to steal the pillow (the German territories); however, his nefarious attempted criminal act is thwarted with fists and fury delivered by the now-wide-awake Michel. The rest of the faces seem to be Negroid in their features. All through Germanic legend and saga such grotesque images seemed to fit with the oft-heard saying: "Der Ganze Welt Gegen Uns," "The Whole World Against Us." The African faces are depicted as the German romanticists deemed to be the ultimate of anticivilization themes. The stein, however, is an artistic celebration of Germanic pride and militaristic victory and accomplishment with the year 1871 shown clearly under the shadow of the handle. The laurels of victory mixed with the fruits of success are added to the wonderful overall design of this vastly important memorial vessel. The sheer beauty and the whimsical, but decidedly imposing and outstanding motif offer to the viewer a precious and unique accomplishment that is very probably the virtual encompassment of Teutonic expression in 19th-century patriotic art. We have added some pictures from panels that appear on another stein of the crockery type that depicts Michel's being victimized and then suddenly awakened. He triumphs over the enemies of Germany. "Heil Michel, heil Deutshcland." PRICE: SOLD |
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Elegant Imperial Pokal (Goblet) (Item KSTEIN 1-5) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is the finest presentation goblet we have ever seen. It is Prussia personified. It is silver and so marked with the mandatory fine silver marks on the bottom. It bears the proud Kaiseradler (Kaiser’s Prussian eagle) raised magnificently on its front. This is the distinctive Prussian-style eagle with the word and lightning bolts in his claws. It is a presentation to a retiring officer from all the officers of his command. Translated, it says: “The officer Corps of the Guard Grenadier Regiment Number 5 to their retiring comrade Major von Koeiler April 1 1897-July 24 1910.” Above the dedication there are the names of about 46 of the officers with only their last names showing, but is stands as practically a virtual who’s who of Prussian nobility. Practically all of the names are prefixed with the aristocratic ‘von’: von Hanisch, von Wedel, von Deschau, von Frentz, and knights such as Ritter von Hylander are only a few of the illustrious titles herein. Also, you will see the term ‘Graf,’ ‘Ritter,’ ‘Freiherr,’ translation: ‘count,’ ‘knight,’ and ‘baron.’ The Pokal from top to the bottom of the clawed feet measures 6 ¼ inches with a mouth opening of 3 ½ inches. The silver casting and finishing is absolutely fantastic and the palm leaves at the bottom and the lion’s feet are spectacular. This is Prussian military history before you. This is an extraordinary museum piece with extreme beauty and profound historical importance.
PRICE: $8,998.00. |
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Beer-Serving Stein of the Royal Family (Hohenzollern) (Item KSTEIN 1-6) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a magnificent stein in smoky coloration. It is a hand-blown example with partial pewter lid. It is a large stein; almost 17 inches high. Because it has a lip it is a serving stein rather than a drinking example. The style with the decorative roundels in glass tells us that this is definitely the former possession of a member of the Royal Prussian Family the Hohenzollerns. The Reichsadler, or national eagle, and Prussian Crown are emblazoned in a hand-painted escrution in the center. When the Hohenzollern Eagle in a smaller shield is seen in the middle of the national eagle’s chest this is a sure indication of royal ownership. The lid has thumb lift formed in pewter depicting a lion with a shield. He also wears the Prussian crown. The condition seems to be perfect throughout. An absolutely beautiful and historically important relic of the era of Imperial majesty and graciousness.
PRICE: SOLD |
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German-American Advertising Beer Stein (Item KSTEIN 1-7; KGLASS 2-3) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a rare little beer stein specially ordered in custom form for a company (maybe a brewery) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We only can see the LBBC (company logo) on the lid. On the front is a typical German gentleman with Robert E. Lee beard. We only know his first name was Louis and the last name starts with “Bergd….” The rest is worn off. Sad to say this seems to be the only wear on the whole of the stein. The legend across the front in literal translations seems to mean, “Malts and hops grant marvelous drops or dripping.” There are no apparent company marks on the bottom, but the style and pewter lid suggest that this fine Krug is German manufactured. It is 8 inches high under the man’s picture it says “1849-1893.” A nice German-American memento of better times.
PRICE: $450.00. |
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GERMAN VICTORY OVER ROME BEER STEIN (Item KSTEIN 1-8; OLD 2-3) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is probably one
of the most interesting beer steins ever found. It depicts very
dramatically, the saga of the Battle and total defeat of the Roman legions
under General Quintilius Varus at the hands of Hermann the Cheruskian
chieftain. Hermann and his Teutonic warriors surprised the Romans and
defeated them. The stein has a diameter of 8 ½" at the bottom. It is
17 ½" tall and 11" wide at its widest point. It is interesting
to view this legionnaire as he seemingly attempts to escape the horrible
fate of those who managed to escape the initial blood letting. This krug
is an extremely rare document of a battle that changed the history of the
world.
PRICE: $1,400.00 |
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Regimental Beer Stein (Item KSTEIN 1-9) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is the best of fine crockery beer steins of the Imperial era. This is one of the tall ones; almost 14 inches high from its bottom to the top of the helmet of the rider at the top. This is also a cavalry stein which makes it a true prize among steins. It has the image of the Kaiser at the center of the central motif with a potpourri of flags, uniform regalia, and garlands of oak leaves. There are heroic scenes of advancing riders, and the traditional farewell of the soldier to his bride or sweetheart. The stein is personalized to the cavalry reservist Gefreiter Sotze, who was a member of the 3rd Company Kurhessen Train Battalion No. 11 stationed at Cassel from 1911-1913. The colors are still brilliantly vibrant on the body, and various heroic sayings abound on the body of the stein and on the fine-pewter top. The traditional lithopane bottom is bright with another farewell scene. At one time the pewter-top horse had a transparent glass eye. When you would look through this eye you could see a photographic scene of the unit in parade formation. However, after almost 100 years, these for the most part are past tense and this stein is no exception. This stein is in beautiful shape. They don’t come much better!
PRICE: $1,400.00 |
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Magnificent Glass Beer Stein (Item KSTEIN 1-10 & KGLASS 2-1) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is an absolutely wonderful hand-blown glass beer stein: large 14 ½ inches high. This piece was also hand painted in the finest of the art form. Usually, beer steins are the "Bavarian thing," but this type was strictly Prussian in nature and style. The pewter lid has a rampant-dragon motif, while the pouring spout has a sea creature's head and the thumb lift bears a diving dolphin. The crest is of the Prussian Hohenzollern family giving the possibility of royal connection. The painters, jewelers, woodworkers of Germany were a law-abiding lot and it was forbidden to use the royal crest on anything except the things for the emperor's use or pleasure. It was usually just not done. The other eagle seen above the Prussian crest is the style used on articles throughout the Hohenzollern castles. It usually was associated with hunting. The bands at throat, tail, and wings are suggestive of a theme almost Egyptian or Indian. This was Prussian as well as their interest in ancient cultures was well noted. Here is a perfect specimen of a rare and seldom-encountered art object of the Kaiserreich! Historic treasure!
PRICE: SOLD |
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Incredible Glass Beer Stein (Item KGLASS 2-2; KSTEIN 1-11) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is the finest beer stein that we have every seen or offered. This, by no means, is the typical Gemütlichkeit Bavarian stein. This is as Prussian as Marshal Blucher. At the top the lid is fashioned like a helmet of the Teutonic knights with the wings of a knightly leader or Ritterführer. The wonderful accuracy with buckles, rosettes, chain mail, and evangelical crosses as eye slits is evident. The body of the stein is hand painted with the geometric designs in the art-deco style of the turn of the century. It may be as early as the 1880's. This art flourished in Germany from 1875 to the mid 1920's. The mid section of the stein has a grimacing bear and a potpourri of Teutonic weapons depicted along with a hunting horn. The saying seems to be: "You are on the bearskin and still you are ever drinking"! I don't now about you guys, but I think that sounds pretty Gemütlich! Cozy! This stein is a pouring stein and could well be for wine rather than beer. It is quite tall. It measures 17 inches from the bottom to the wing tips. The base is 5 ½ inches in diameter. Absolutely beautiful and an important relic possibly from Prussian royalty. This is for the true Germanophile!
PRICE: $1,400.00 |
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Large Munich Beer Stein; circa 1930-1940 (Item KSTEIN 1-14) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a rather large beer stein in the stoneware-pottery material with raised relief figures. The stein is close to 16 inches tall with Florentine-design thumb lift. The style is called ‘master’ in the language of stein collectors and is used in stein from 1860 onward. The general scene is a hearty depiction of the jolly King Gambrinus, who was the Teutonic Patron Saint of Beer. Actually one of Charlemagne’s cup bearers was named Gambrinus. Because of Gambrinus significance, European and German-American brewers have adopted this character (or his name for their brands of beer). In this stein’s motif he sits by a beer barrel and lifts his cup in salute to the good life that is vastly improved by a good, hearty, draft of the heavenly brew. In great German humor the side panels say as follows: “The rooster crows much better if he wets his throat first.” The other panel says: “Don’t bother to think of plus or minus if you consume the juice of Gambrinus.” Above the crown of Gambrinus is the word “Wohlbekomms” and that is for cheers or ‘prosit.’ The stein is in remarkably great condition both body and lid and the detail in the face and costume of that old beer lover is phenomenally well done.
PRICE: $495.00; very reasonable |
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Please refer to item designator in parentheses in all correspondence.
Please E-mail for any additional information you may need.If you prefer, contact 'Germania' at PO Box 68, Lakemont, GA 30552
or call at 706.782.1668.
Please! do not call during the wee hours of the morning. The best time for calling us is between 10am and 12 noon and between 9pm and 11 pm (eastern time).