Description: Beautiful and impressive antique German pouring beer stein made by the most famous firm of Villeroy and Boch in Mettlach. It is made in bas-relief technique with dark brown-colored stoneware.

The main decoration is made of applied white stoneware relief technique. The theme is a bucolic harvest scene. The lid is inlaid with a face showing through the relief. The saying on the sides of the stein reads:

"Der Reben und der Gerstensaft Verleiht dem Menschen Muth u. Kraft."
"The juice of the grape and barley gives courage and strength to man!"

What's interesting about this stein is a decoration on the back showing a monk's face and a phrase: "Darum trinke" - "Therefore drink!". This is an addition to the original saying that was added by the decorator as a joke.

This stein is actually one of the most popular steins in Mettlach production. Created in the early 1870s, it was manufactured well into 1910s - for about 40 years.

Marked with Villeroy and Boch Mercury mark and model number 1028. There is no date mark, but according to the Mettlach date system, the year of production can be determined by counting the dots under the Mercury and adding them to the year of 1870. There are 10 dots out of 13, so the stein was made in 1880.

The stein is 7" tall, 0.5L capacity. Excellent flawless condition.