Featured Stein: February 2010

~ A Very Unusual Stein ~ by  Walt Vogdes

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figure 1	figure 2
I could see the stein in the window of the shop. It looked like a standard half-liter stoneware with a nice enameled scene and verse (figure 1). Probably a Mettlach, possibly enameled by von Hauten of Bonn. Unfortunately, the shop was closed, so I couldn't examine it more closely. I put it out of my mind for the time being, making a mental note to stop back on another day.

A few days later I was back in the area, and this time the shop was open. I asked to see the stein and was quite surprised after I held it in my hand. It was not Mettlach, not figure 3 stoneware, not pottery, but glass! The entire body of the stein is covered with a light tan enamel, handle and all, giving it the appearance of a stoneware PUG. But there are two vertical "windows" in the enamel, one on each side, obviously intended to let both drinker and server see the level of beer remaining (figure 2). I had never seen another like it.The well done enameling features a tall stein at the center of the scene (figure 3). A large key hangs down the front of the stein, and the thumblift is another key. To the left are a beer glass and a shorter stein (NB?) while a wine bottle is to the right.

A banner weaves through the scene bearing the following verse:

Ein kluger Zecher steckt sich sein den Schlüssel von hans schon Morgens ein.

A smart drinker pockets his house key early in the morning.

figure 4 Most glass steins do not have any markings on the base, but this one still has a surprise (figure 4). The base is fully enameled, with black lettering indicating the German Patent number (D.R.G. 64321), the words Deutscher Bierkrug, and "Reform." The "DRG 64321" also appears around the rim of the slightly recessed base in relief. All in all, a stein with a practical design, and some practical advice.