~ Grüsst mir das blonde Kind am Rhein ~
 
This verse is from a Rhenish folk song and is explained by the scene on this salt-glazed, stoneware stein from the Jugendstil (youth style = modern art) period, ca. early 1900's. It appears that the decorator was not aware of the verse, because he painted the blonde girl as a brunette or with black hair. However the dark hair color does contrast better with the background color, but decorator errors are not uncommon on steins.
 
Grüsst mir das blonde Kind am Rhein,
und sagt, ich käme wieder.
The blond girl on the Rhein greeted me,
and said, I came again.
 
 
Translation: Roy De Selms
Photo credit: Unknown