1903 Mettlach Beer Stein – 2833D .5 Liter

Pottery : Beer Stein

 

“Is it really time to say goodbye?” the young man asks, as he holds the lady’s hand for just a little longer than is customary. “Oh yes,” she says. “After all: Keinen Tropfen im Becher Mehr!” (no drop left in the cup).

This wonderful beer stein was made by the Mettlach stoneware company in 1903 (note the ‘03’ impressed in the base). It is one of a series of steins called “the Brick Base Series” because of the bases resembling bricks. It features a man and woman in traditional dress, presumably at a tavern courtyard. Their table is in front of a nice large leafy tree and the roofs of a town are behind them. The colors are browns, grays and blues.

The pewter lid was made by Martin Pauson, one of the better known pewterists in Munich. One side of the pewter shank is impressed with PAUSON, the other with MUNCHEN. Martin Pauson’s company was founded in 1884. It made lids, and distributed beer steins for the Munich breweries. This lid is quite a fancy one which remains in excellent condition.

Condition of the stein itself is also excellent. There are two factory flaws to note. One is a small triangular dent or dimple in the glaze – it measures about 4 mm on each side. The other is a line that runs vertically from the bottom of the foliage to the gray horizon. This can be seen in the close up photo. We have examined this as thoroughly as possible – it is not a crack. It appears to be a place where the glaze overlapped and made a thin line of extra glaze. There are no cracks, no chips, no scratches on this great piece. The impressed marks on the base are deep and clear.

This is a beautiful example of an early Mettlach beer stein, well worth adding to a collection.

Item ID: 0535