Description: This antique German beer stein was made in the 1880s of pressed glass with molded facets for optical effects. It was made by the Saxonian Glass company - an important glass manufacturer in Germany that operated in late 1800s - early 1900s. There is a crown impressed on the bottom - the factory's mark.

The lid is pewter with a porcelain inlay very elaborately hand-painted with a humorous scene - a tall man smiling at a shorter man in rage. The inscription reads:

"Unmöglich! Sie unverschämter Mensch, ich gebe ihnen eine Ohrfeige, dass Ihnen der Kopf wackelt!"
(Impossible! You impudent man, I'll slap you in the face, make your head wobble!"

I guess there is some kind of joke with a political or social meaning that the contemporary folks would understand. Or maybe there is a word play that I cannot catch with my rudimentary German.

The lid is also engraved with "18 N-U 85" - this is the date 1885 and initials of the original owner.

The stein is in good condition -there is a small glass flake at the bottom and on the handle (see pics) but no other damage.

The stein is 7.25" tall to the top of the thumblift, 0.5L capacity.