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Kaiser Reich

Beer Steins; Page 2

Please be sure to visit our Kaiser Wilhelm II collection.

Also, take a look at our Frederick the Great gallery.

Kaiser Reich

Magnificent Large Beer Stein with Medieval Scene (Item KSTEIN 2-1)

DESCRIPTION: This is a 2.5-liter stein standing 18 inches tall with medieval scenes all about it. The stein is by the famed manufacturer Reinhold Merkelback of Llohr Grenzhausen. The Star-of-David-looking mark shows the stein to have been produced between 1870 and 193. The company is still in business, but we can understand why this particular mark was not used in the 1933 to 1945 period. The stein is in stoneware with a pewter lid that is not usual depicting old Gambrinus, the patron saint of beer brewing, at its zenith. This is usually reserved for all-metal steins or pottery steins. The scenes portrayed on the body of the stein are done in comical motif. A boy page or servant leads away the horse of a rotund knight who takes a drink from a huge krug. You know you shouldn’t drive when drinking! Behind are three more attendants; one carries the knight’s jousting lance. Further on is a mounted rider knight who tickles the tummy of another who looks to be a Turk from the look of his horned helmet and scimitar sword. Above these scenes are ribbons and banners that proclaim in German: “ZU DAS BEST VOR MAN WIL STECHEN GEHN EIN HERZHAFTER TRUNK IS ZWEIFEL OHN HAN ICH EIN HUMPEN BIER IM LEIB TURNIR ICH MIT DEM TEUFEL.” On the pewter lid are the engraved words: “ZUM ANDENKEN A.D. VII DEUTSCHE TURNFEST 2. MÜNCHEN 1889 GEW. V BRUCKNER V SCHWAB.” Translated: “In memory of the sports competition (2) in Munich in 1889 where von Bruckner and von Schwab participated.” This is truly a magnificent stein and with some rare aspect throughout. It is in perfect shape and would be a beautiful addition to any Germanic home or would make a great collection addition.

PRICE: $895.00; you couldn’t touch it for twice this price at a good antique fair

Kaiser Reich

Beer Stein from Badenfeld Artillery Regiment 50 at Karlsruhe (Item KSTEIN 2-2)

DESCRIPTION: This is a great beer stein from elite artillery Regiment Number 50 stationed at Karlsruhe. It belonged to Fahrer Battenfeld. It is 12 inches high from the bottom to the top of the upraised canteen held up by the soldier at the top of the lid. “Kanonen Donner ist unser Grüss.” This is the motto around the top of the ceramic portion of the Stein. This translates to “The cannons’ thunder is our greeting.” It is a very colorful stein with sharp vibrant tones. The only thing that stands between its being in perfect condition is that the lid has been repaired. It was professionally done and is only noticeable when inspecting the inside of the lid. The spike is also missing from the pewter soldier's head. Otherwise, it's in fine condition and a great-looking beer stein. It has the Baden griffon on the thumb lift, and it has a great lithopane bottom of the Jäger’s departure. The name of the former soldier-owner is seen at the front design over the 50th unit shoulder-board designation. He was as the title indicates, a Fahrer, or driver. He probably drove the vehicles that towed the cannon to the front lines. This is a really great beer stein and would grace an Imperial collection.

PRICE: $985.00

A German Shooting Trophy Cup in Pewter (Item KSTEIN 2-3)

DESCRIPTION: This is a big and handsome pewter stein or Goblet awarded for shooting proficiently in the true spirit of the shooting sport This trophy stands two feet tall with a mouth opening that measures about 5 inches in diameter. Its base is 5 ½ inches in diameter and the coat of arms in the center is 3 x 2 inches.
The words engraved on it start with – Zur 500 Jahrfeier Oberfrankeschen Scharfshutzenbund (Gewidmet). This is 500 years celebration of Members of the Highland verein of (Gau Frankin). At the very top edge is “Der K6 Privat Shutzen Geselshaft” and under this (Babfurt) this means a royal private shooting group named “Babfurt” has won the trophy. There are two small stampings in the bottom of the base and inside the top lid that says Georg Sturm Bayreuth. The maker. The crest is probably the logo of the shooting club or perhaps one of the crests of Bayreuth itself. (This was the home city of Richard Wagner the greatest of German composers. Top of the vessel is a figure of a huntsman or shooter. He holds aloft what is perceived as the winning target. This is a wonderful art piece worthy of being a center display in any good hunting or shooting collection

PRICE: $1,500.00

Guard Du-Corps beer Stein (Item KSTEIN 2-4; MRBSTEIN 1-16; GDUCORP 1-4)

DESCRIPTION: This is official Stein of the elite corps of the Kaisers personal bodyguard Regiment in Berlin and Potsdam. Formed in 1871 they wore resplendent uniforms with white with gold trim, a beautiful breastplate armor cuirasse with the Prussian guard star, and a resplendent helmet in brass and on its top sits the Prussian Imperial eagle in full dimension as he prepares to” wing It” to the sky this Eagle is unique to the GDC. You can see more about this if you go to K. helmet 2-6 in our Kaiser Reich section. The Stein is in the pottery style and is about a foot tall from the bottom to the top of the pewter guardsmen top. It has going around it various printed and spirited sayings. The Illusion of bravado and “Korpgeist”is prevalent; it is in perfect shape and is considered the best example the military Stein collectors can ever find. It is colorful indeed as expected from such an elite unit such as this one. It was from the property of a recruit in the fourth Regiment of the Garde Du-Corps stationed at Potsdam. The name shown is Paul Arnds. His name can be found on the two sides at the top of the central design. This design includes the Prussian crown, various regimental standards helmet, bayonet back pack and a white GDC., shoulder board. Under this is an image of a GDC horseman riding with his lance at the forefront. At the Top there is a statement about his love for his Regiment. Down the sides of this Stein are the names of his comrades of the Regimental. Comrades who served with him from 1905-1908 (about 35 names) and his own are listed. On the back panels are two scenes beautifully presented. One shows a GDC rider with horse and a pretty Fraulein who says “the horse belongs to Das Konigs, - - - Der Reiter 1st mein!” (This steed is the Kings, the rider is mine!) On the other side there is a depiction of the whole troop on the attack, and it says “Unser Garde Du Corps Atakerein muss der Starkste Feind verlieren” (when the Garde Du corp attacks even the powerful enemy will fall - -or lose!). The pewter top has an effigy of a GDC rider and a jumping horse, and the usual patriotic motifs are here as well. It also has black, white, and red color ribbons with oak leaves and acorns. All throughout the base are German national colors. It is marked German patent protected on its bottom, this item is handsome, rare and the historical importance is evident with this magnificent Stein. (See also the beautiful Garde du Corps officer's helmet at K.helmets 2-11)

SOLD This was a very special Garde stein. If you have one exactly like this we will be interested in buying it.

A Hunter's Stein (Item KSTEIN 2-5; HUNT 7-15)

DESCRIPTION: This is a beautiful little beer Stein done in a pottery style. It features that the front design depicting the legend of St. Hubertus (St. Hubert). There are various versions of this legend in Germany. He became the patron saint of German hunting. The telling of the story takes various paths and one can find several when going into the search engines. The great stag that is always depicted with him is shown and the Christian cross shown between the antlers. The bottommost portion of the Stein has three relief heads of dear peering out in third dimension - - a neat configuration indeed! One side has a gathering of dear in the forest. While the other side shows the approaching Hunter. The grip or handle has a trophy group of rabbi, and grouse displayed on a tree trunk. Around the bottom is an old German saying that translates to. "A fresh drink for the Jagers blood is better than for other peoples." It is 9 inches high including its pewter lid. A very handsome piece indeed.

PRICE: SOLD

Mettlach Cameo Plaque Depicting Landsknecht Scene (Hugh Collector’s Plate) (Item LAND 2-1 & KSTEIN 2-6)

DESCRIPTION: This is a wonderful cameo plaque with the German mercenary freebooters known as Landsknecht depicted. Always considered the greatest and best of steins, the chargers are even more rare and beautiful. Mettlach is actually a town in Germany where the firm of Villeroy & Boch was founded in 1941. With the merging of three German factories, three of which had been established in the 18th century, The amalgamated company had its headquarters in Mettlach, Germany, which was the location of what was their most famous factory. The name Mettlach is derived from Latin for “mid-lakes” and in 1936 Nicholas Villeroy and Eugene Boch joined forces and formed a company producing masterpieces of steinware. They used the name of the town as their logo. The produced plates, vases, beer steins, etc., that were all state of the art. They were the largest and most important ceramic enterprise since the 19th century. The very colorful plate that we offer has a diameter of 17 ½” and depicts three of these freebooters gaily celebrating while drinking the “suds.” Beer was the favorite of the Landknecht warriors and they consumed barrels of it between battles. A maid and her little boy dispense the hops and malts to the guzzlers, and across the top is a scroll that says basically “Oh riders, O Landsknecht, every one gladly shares a pint.” The plate was probably produced in the 1870’s and is in great condition with a few slight age cracks. The cracks are in the surface and do not go through. It’s probably not even accurate to call them cracks at all. This is one beautiful art object from Alte Deutschland.

PRICE: $850.00

Mettlach Stein Commemorating Kaiser Wilhelm II (Item LAND 2-2 & KSTEIN 2-7)

DESCRIPTION: This is a very handsome beer stein by the famous Villeroy and Boch (Mettlach firm). Read more about it in the narrative about the plate featured above. The stein has the Mettlach Geslutz (patent) on the bottom with the Mettlach logo of the castle. The number is 1861 (not a date). The design has the picture of the young Emperor depicted in his uniform of the Royal Hussars. At the sides are the laurel leaves with the national colors – black, white, red – running in ribbon form in and out of the leaves. The thumblift is fashioned in the form of a griffen. The stein measures 10” from top to bottom. The colors are vivid and the pewter parts are perfect. A wonderful relic of the better era. Kaiser Wilhelm, where are you now that we need you? Around the edges of the pewter top is an engraved narrative. It basically says: “In memory of the Luisenburg-festspiele 189 to 1892.” A festspiele is a set of games such as football, archery, boating, tennis, etc.

PRICE: $680.00

Regimental Reservists Beer Stein (Item KSTEIN 2-8 & MRBSTEIN 2-2)

DESCRIPTION: This is one of the nicest steins in the collection. It is an artillery model with vibrant colors. It belonged to a Reservist Siegmann, interestingly. This would mean Victorious Man. It is of the usual and traditional size and has the pewter lid with the two artillerymen greeting each other while having a friendly toast with beer steins raised. The eagle on the thumb rest has the guard star clutched in his beak. Siegmann served in the 2nd Battery of the teaching units (Lehr.Regt.) of the Field Artillery marksmanship School in Juterbog 1901-1903. Interesting, Juterbog had always been an instruction center for the German military elite. Before WWII there was an Art of War Institute there where SS officers were trained. The SS Sonderkommando Juterbog units were formed here. The stein is in perfect all around condition and of course it has the names of all the reservemen listed down the rear where the handle is located. At the stein's bottom is a beautiful lithophanne scene of two Bavarian lovers’s dressed in Bayriche trachten as they embrace. Just about one of the nicest steins we have handled.

PRICE: SOLD

Reichskriegsfahne Beer Stein (Item FLAG 3-3 & KSTEIN 2-9)

DESCRIPTION: Here is a small beer stein in crockery material with pewter lid. It has the Imperial war flag as its frontal design. It stands about 5 ½ inches high and is about 4 inches wide great for the short drink of suds always enjoyed by the “Matrosen” (sailors) after a successful naval engagement. These steins were typically used by the Kaiser's Navy personnel in World War I. All ships of the military fleets used the Reich war flag once they set out to sea .We feature a few actual Kriegsfahne within our pages in the Kaiserreich flag section. The lid is of ‘zinn’ (grey metal) and the thumb lift has floral design, there are no company markings on the body. A very nice little beer stein with Imperial naval connotations.

PRICE: SOLD

Rare Beer Stein

Beautiful, Grey-Pottery Beer Stein Featuring the Jovial King Gambrinus (Item KSTEIN 2-10)

DESCRIPTION: Here is a rare pottery beer stein featuring King Gambrinus, the patron saint of beer, often referred to as the “God of Beer,” holding up high his hops and malts while he sits astride the beer barrel—beer is as sacred a thing to the German people as rice is to the oriental. The lid of this great stein has a porcelain scene of a good Bürger enjoying his beer and pipe. The words that are seen there translate to: “The best way is with peace on one’s mind, a good lot of beer, and a pipe to go with it.” Good sentiments I’d have to say. The stein is about 7 ½ inches high not counting the thumb-lift. Circa 1870-1890, this is an exceptional stein in a rare style.

PRICE: $285.00

Jousting Knight Beer Stein

Beautiful, Large Beer Stein Featuring Jousting Knights (Item KSTEIN 2-11)

DESCRIPTION: Here is a tall and gorgeous beer stein with great coloration and wonderful detailing. It’s certainly a busy vessel with much going on; cherubs, dwarfs, dragon and jester, and two knights in a humorous jousting contest, and on the pewter lid we have jovial old King Gambrinus, the patron saint of beer, often referred to as the “God of Beer.” He lifts his glass in a toast to the eternal hops and malts. The stein is a large, 25-liter example of middle-to-late 19th-century stein work; this is when the craft was at its zenith. It measures 18 inches high from its bottom up to the beer mug in the king’s hand. This was actually a presentation stein given in recognition of exemplary achievement in acrobatic competition by members of a Turnverein in Munich in 1889. (The 7th German Turnfest in Munich). A poem circles the pictures, which has to do with sports, beer drinking and drunkenness, and being careful not to fall as a result of this impropriety in the realm of the devil! This is truly a prize for the stein collector. A very great stein in wonderful condition.

PRICE: $675.00 - A collector's dream stein!

Mettlach Plates

Marks

The shop where the plates were bought in Berlin

Marks on one plate

The plate with the FULL Mettlach marks

Seven Villeroy & Boch Mettlach Plates Depicting German Soldiers (Item KSTEIN 2-12; KGLASS 3-16)

DESCRIPTION: Here is a fantastic grouping of plates by the famed Villeroy & Boch firm located in Mettlach, Germany. This is the revered manufacturer of the finest of ceramics and porcelain. Collectors please note the similarity between the Mettlach military theme beer steins (the series) and note that these plates are virtually identical in color and style. Although the stein series is rare, it is found much more often than the plate series. They are truly scarce even in the professional circles of Mettlach collectors. Ever since they were first produced in about 1850 Mettlach steins and chargers, plates, and other ceramic items have been cherished as very-high-quality art objects. The group of seven plates we have to offer according to the man we bought them from has provided us with the following information. He said his mother-in-law, Elizabeth Keller, gave him the plates in 1966 and at the time told him that her mother, Elizabeth Bernhard, was working as a truly loved and highly appreciated servant at the baronial estate of Count von Helldorf in Wiesbaden, Germany. Elizabeth Bernhard received the plates from Count v. Helldorf as a wedding present when she married August Enders on July 6, 1901, in Wiesbaden. Interesting is the possibility that this count von Hellddorf of Wiesbaden may very well be the father or grandfather of Wolf Heinrich Graf von Helldorf, president of the police in Potsdam and Berlin. Born a nobleman’s son in Merseburg, he was a member of the Reichstag 1933-1944. Unfortunately, he was involved in the 1944 plot to kill Adolf Hitler and was executed by hanging in 1944 at Plotzensee Prison. We cannot definitely attest to the relationship, but it looks very possible. I hope the elder Graf von Helldorf fared better and was a true German patriot.

The Plates

There are seven of them all in perfect condition. Only one of them features the full Mettlach markings with the winged angel face hovering over the Villeroy & Boch geared logo. The rest of them have numbers and letters example (737 Geschutz and a large F, A, K, J, etc.) but anybody can see that they all are from the same Mettlach series. Each one depicts a different epoch of German military history and each has an individual title running over half the front diameter and each soldier is identified below the image. They are depicted in periods from the time of Frederick the First to the Franco-Prussian War of the 1870s, and here they stop since they were presented as the wedding gift in 1901; so they date well before the First World War. They are well over 100 years old and to still be in this condition is remarkable, but goes to prove my earlier statement about being cherished! These are a worthy treasure to grace any good collection of Mettlach steins or a notable Imperial German collection.

PRICE: $1,225.00; that’s about $175 each for plates that individually could sell for about $350 each, or more. Serious collectors should move quickly on these! We are offering these magnificent pieces at a very special discount. All for $880.00.

Beer Stein

Kaiser Wilhelm I on lid

The plaque for personalization

Imperial Münzen Krug (Coin Stein) (Item Item KSTEIN 2-13)

DESCRIPTION: Here in Imperial brilliance is a Münzen Krug. This is a beer stein decorated with medallions of the Kaiser era. On its lid is a bust portrait likeness of the German Soldier-King Kaiser Wilhelm I Hohenzollern. The thumb lift is a winged griffon that appears to bow in reverence to the great king. On the body of the stein are about 25 medallions of the Kaiser era. Of these all but five are crown size. (the size of a U.S. $20 gold piece). The faces shown are Kaiser Frederick II, the father of Kaiser Wilhelm II, and the face of Kaiser Wilhelm II, the son and the grandson of Wilhelm I. So it is basically a Hohenzollern piece throughout commemorating the rule of these three Kaisers over Prussia and the United German Reich. It is 7 1/4 inches high with the lid lift being another 2 inches. It is about 3 1/2 inches in diameter with a handle that is about 2 1/2 inches protruding from it. The body of the piece seems to be heavily silver-plated bronze. The medallions are precision bent to conform to the shape of the stein and possibly are also brass. They may be commemorative medallions. The eagle-decorated ones are decorated with the national eagle and around it are the various coats of arms of the German states. In the center of the stein is a plaque with leaf design. Its center is left blank for a name or presentation to be added. At one time in its more recent history the stein was cleaned by someone with some cleaning materia that left this polish residue between the coins. It will need to be immersed in water and a toothbrush applied to its surfaces to remove this leftover polish. It does not in any way damage or mar the look of this fantastic historic item. This is a wonderful relic of a better time!

PRICE: $1,500.00

Beer Stein

German Army WWII Beer Stein (Item KSTEIN 2-14; WEHR 35-10; Third Reich Tableware 1-12)

DESCRIPTION: Here in perfect condition is a German Army Erinnerung (remembrance) beer stein. These ornate little mugs could be purchased by a retiring or even active duty soldier to commemorate his time in Das Heer (army). This one is particularly beautiful and the front panel depicts a bust a German soldier surrounded by flags and bayonets and the memory statement below. On one side panel, we see a machine-gun team in action, while on the other side the panel depicts a mortar team in action. The stein is equipped with a pewter lid and is about 4½ inches high and has about a 4 inches opening not counting the handle or thumb lift. This is a very handsome display piece.

PRICE: $485.00

NS Comfort Mug Stein

Eine Gemütlichkeit Krug (N.S.Comfort Mug) (Item KSTEIN 2-15; NSD 22-17; THIRD REICH TABLEWARE 1-16; WEHR 35-21)

DESCRIPTION: Here is a large beer stein that has an opened-mouth dimension of 3½ inches when the lid is lifted and 4½ inches across the base. The stein stands about 7 inches high, is very colorful, and is dated "1938" under a shield that bears the symbol of the city of Munich during the era of the Third Reich. This portrays the typical Munich monk figure that stands before the Isartor Gate to the city. Above this you can see the national eagle in gold that has the swastika in his talons. Around this motif are rose-type floral arrangements interspersed with the Germanic writing in ribbon form that generally says something to the effect of solidarity and brotherhood with neighboring villages: Untermenzing, Obermenzing, Allach, Ludwigsfeld, and Solin. The stein is quite large (1 liter), is very handsome, and is an important relic of the past in the N.S. era. Munich was termed the "Hauptstadt der Bewegung (Capital of the Movement). It certainly was the spiritual capital of N.S. culture and ideals. This rare-and-important stein seems to be emblematic of the spirit of the Munichers in that romantic era.

PRICE: $850.00

Beer Stein

Imperial-Era Firefighters' Beer Stein from 1893 Munich (Item KSTEIN 2-16)

DESCRIPTION: Here is an unusual traditional stein in that has a motif of firefighting showing ladders and various fire department flags, axes, and other firefighting tools and grappling hooks. There is also a picture of a child that looks like Munich's child monk. Besides all of this, there’s a fireman in traditional garb holding a firehose. The man's figure is unfortunately a bit grazed in the porcelain, but it’s well over 100 years old! Still, this is a fine and rare trade stein. It stands about 5½ inches high to include the pewter top that is quite fanciful in itself and comprises a knightly shield and armored helmet. The shield has the name of the original owner of the stein, but now is unreadable. All through the central design are various ribbons that bear German sayings that were popular at the time–"All for one and one for all!" (This saying we remember was made famous in the novel the Three Musketeers), but originally it was a Teutonic statement. Also, it proclaims that this stein is commemorative of the 14th German Firefighters' Day in Munich. Here is a very rare and colorful beer stein that celebrates Germany’s great historical heritage.

PRICE: $300.00

Beer Stein

WWI Austrian/German Solidarity Beer Stein (Item KSTEIN 2-17; MRBSTEIN 2-11)

DESCRIPTION: This beer stein illustrates the strength of the Kameradschaft (Allied bond between the two Germanic nations) in combat against the "Weltfeind" (the opposing forces). The picture of this bonded brotherhood is quite dramatic and supremely patriotic in nature, showing the Austrian soldier in his field cap and early blue uniform on the left. On the right stands a German soldier in early combat uniform wearing the famed spike helmet (Pickelhaube). Behind the soldiers are the crests of the Austrian and the German nations and their national flags. We estimate this stein to be manufactured in about 1916. At the bottom, there are the traditional words of the famed song of respect for the fallen soldiers at that point (Ich hatt einen Kameraden . . .). Also there is an Iron Cross. The lid is in fine pewter with a fully, deep-dimensional Iron Cross in fantastic detail. Although the same size, this is not an actual medal welded on. It's purely manufactured with the stein and is Wunderbar! The thumb lift is formed to look like a 42mm artillery shell. The condition of this stein can be described as out-and-out flawless, and it tells the story of Western unity, so needed, even now! Just think how many times this stein has been tipped to the good health of a friend.

PRICE: SOLD

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