A Undocumented R. Merkelbach Stein By John Johnson

I recently acquired this interesting stein in a private auction. I believe it is an undocumented R. Merkelbach stein with a possible L Holwein design. It is one liter in capacity and has a number of 656 stamped on

 bottom. It features a hand applied raised relief design showing a humorous anthropomorphic Radish walking alongside an older man with cane all on a brown stoneware body. The stein is topped with a hammered pewter lid.

Inscription (Bavarian dialect):
“Wos hi kemma heb’n’s an Ehr auf, jo a Radi, wenn a schwaar is,
u. da Masskruag selbstverständlich aussa wenn a ebba laar is.”

Translation:
“Those who come here have their pride — even a radish
and of course the beer mug gets emptied when someone makes it empty.”