Steins are often given as souvenirs, awards or mementos of an event or occasion. This month’s stein is an example. Commissioned by the Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York and produced by Villeroy and Boch in Mettlach, Germany, it is believed that it was given to the attendees of the George Washington Birthday Ball on February 22, 1910 at Delmonico’s in midtown Manhattan.

The stein is unlidded. On one side of the stein is a seal depicting a Revolutionary War soldier draped by a banner inscribed with the dates 1776 and 1783, the dates the United States of America declared its independence and the centennial of the British departure from New York and General Washington’s farewell to his troops at Fraunces Tavern in Manhattan.

On the opposite side is another soldier enclosed in a medallion encircled by stars and topped by an eagle, symbols of the newly-independent country. It is estimated that between 200 to 300 people attended the ball in 1910.

Photographs by Ginger Gehres, Carolina Steiners chapter.

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