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 the 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."
Translation: "Those who come here have their pride — even a radish and of course the beer mug gets emptied when someone makes it empty."
Approx. measurements:
- 8.5 in tall to top of thumb-lift
- 6 in wide including handle
The handle is unique being square in design. In my many years of collecting I have only seen this design once before in a one half liter size.
