Decorative Beer Stein
Date1896
Mediumceramic, pewter
Dimensions9 1/2 × 6 1/8 × 4 1/4 in. (24.1 × 15.6 × 10.8 cm)
ClassificationsVessels & Containers
Credit LineAlbuquerque Museum, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Irving E. Meinrath in memory of Hattie and Louis C. Ilfeld
Object numberPC1982.179.4
DescriptionThis stein is shaped like a tall cylinder with a widened base with a curved semi-circle handle on the side and a domed pewter lid. The handle is connected to the lid via a metal hinge with a decorative thumb press on top. The handle is black with a brown section that cover the outside top half. Gold swirls and bands also wrap around this part and the center of the handle. The press is made of silver metal and is carved in the shape of a woman from the waist up. When pressed down the hinge lifts the lid open so the stein can be used. The rim of the lid is metal and has a floral pattern engraved around the curve of the dome. The center is black with a brown wreath of the leaves and berries on the lower half, above this are eight gold stars. The rim of the stein is white and has the symbol "1/2 L" engraved into it to show the volume of liquid the stein can hold. The main body of the stein is decorated in a style similar to that of a Grecian urn. The top and bottom edges have borders that wrap around the cup, with the top showing a wave-like border and the bottom have a square geometric pattern. The base is black with gold dots around where the cup begins to widen out, above this are narrow arches. The underside of the stein contains the makers mark for Villeroy & Boch, has well has the product number 2191. The main image that makes up the body of the cup is brown, black, cream, and gold. The front shows a man with a mustache dressed in Grecian armor holding a shield and a spear. He looks towards his left where, on the right side of the stein, is another man drawn walking mid-stride in a robe, Grecian helmet, and with a sword. He is saluting the man who is standing. Behind this man is the signature for the artist Heinrich Schlitt. On the left side is a woman looking out at both the men through a decorated archway with a basket at their feet. She is dresses has a maid with an apron and a hair cap. There are also letters that are drawn to appear carved written around the image. The letters appear, in order has "SAC. RA. V. EN. D.E. R. DIE. C.AT. / ISI TAN.B.IN. ILA / CIR. T." When spoken out loud in the dialect typical of late 19th century German, the text sounds close to "SAKRA! WENN DER DIE KATHI SIEHT, DANN BIN ICH LACKIERT!" (“DAMN! IF HE CATCHES SIGHT OF KATHY, I’LL REALLY BE IN FOR IT!).On View
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