Antique Miniature Salt Glazed Beer Stein-Westerwald Style Pottery Pewter Lid w/Picture of Flensburg Germany-Folk Art Stoneware-REDUCED. A Stein will have some imperfections that indicate that real people made them. Vintage German Soldier Beer Stein, Burgermeister, Pickelhaube, Military, Pewter (#256022336393) c***v (285) - Feedback left by buyer c***v (285). Germany enforced laws that required all food and beverage containers to have lids to mitigate the situation. You may assume it has some kind of music box or jingle built-in. The reason beer steins had lids was to keep out flies and other bugs. Note that the markings are not just empty signs. One of the beautiful older German steins, this one has a 1L capacity and is very uncommon. Original Antique Regimental Military German Beer Stein, Lieb Garde, Dated 1907 (#266188755904) Theyre sure to leave their mark on your heart and countertop. These valuable German beer steins have a rich history in Germany and Europe. A stein made of an expensive or rare material can give further context to why a stein might have a higher value. Collecting German Beer Steins remains a popular pastime to this day ranging from museum curators to casual collectors who are looking for a German gift idea. Silver, glass, and ivory steins are among the precious materials used to make priceless yet antique German beer steins that greatly value stein collectors. (416) $40.00. The best beer steins have easily-recognizable markings on the bottom. A handcrafted beer stein will have human mistakes. Beer Steins Worth Money: Time. Choose from unique steins depicting Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor, German war heroes, The Berlin Wall, Germanic tribes, German legends and many historically interesting German Steins. In particular, the marking includes a lady dressed in pink serving patrons at a beer garden. So, if you come across a mug that doesnt have a nation of origin label, it can be worth more than you think. If the inside of the pewter lid is lighter than the outside, that indicates authenticity. Germany introduced fixed lids to keep flies off their beer and mitigate the spread of bubonic plague in the mid-1300s. The value of originals also depends on how intact they are; a piece, no matter how old or rare, will lose value if its crushed and dented beyond repair. (that's pre world war II in stein world) German beer steins in undamaged condition. After the 1800s and 1900s, ordinary scenes were depicted. Pretty much an all-round awesome guy. A mugs lid contains a wealth of information regarding its worth. You will need to inspect your steins for the design and the quality of the interior and outer paint. The best way to find the value of your stein is to seek a professional appraisal from a stein expert. So having a working hinge on the lid and a lighter or paler internal surface make your beer stein more valuable. Steins have been used to drink beer for many centuries, yet they have also become a symbol of Germany and, as a result, are now collected by many around the world. An important fixture of the adolescent play space, these metal toy, Vintage Japanese Music Box: History & Collecting Tips, If you catch yourself humming the soft tunes from your childhood music box, then you'll definitely want to add a vintage Japanese music box to your home collection. First, however, you may check steins using several online databases. Steins come in a variety of materials, including ceramic, glass, wood, metal and crystal. Their rise and decline can be traced to centuries of strife, innovations in production, and even war. Modern steins made with machines are too perfect and dont hold much value. Top makers include Capo-di-Monte, Mettlach, and Royal Vienna. Siegburg, Cologne, Frechen, and Kreussen were the major centers for pottery production. That lead singer seems a little drunk though his buddies are all thats holding him up! For example, when assessing the age of a stein, you could consider looking for the nation of origin. A broad generalization of some time periods into which steins can be classified (but by no means exhaustive) are: The rarest of steins date from the 16th to the middle of the 19th century. This is not always the case. Their mugs have stood the test of time. However, several steins have been sold for more than that price in auctions. A valuable stein should tell a story and paint a picture. These lids are the cheapest, most widely-available lids and are arguably the most iconic designs of any beer stein. Please note, however, by blocking cookies you will still be able to browse this website, but some of its features might not be available. A variety of criteria are used to determine the value of a stein, including: As previously noted, a good rule of thumb is that the older a stein is, the more valuable it tends to be. However, if its your first time purchasing a German beer stein, we advise consulting a specialist. As a result, the production never hit the initial high level. The broader price range for Antique German steins ranges from $50-$5,000. It makes the lid lighter on the inside than the outside. Marked on bottom "Original Gerzit - Gerz W. Germany". On the contrary, the mug might be old and thus more valuable. German steins are painted in a variety of styles and use different artistic mediums for artwork placement. A new substance known as stoneware emerged as earthenwares refining continued. But be wary of counterfeit steins whose makers use darkening agents to make the mug appear older. That may be why it has a poem rather than pictorial decorations. To start, you'll want to be fairly certain your beer stein is an authentic German antique, not a mass-produced promotional piece. Its preowned and thus may have some imperfections. The German stein was formally recognized as a European product in the 19th century. Read on to learn more about the history of German beer steins and the markings on the mugs you can use to identify their value. If you are not in the position to spend a higher dollar value or devote the time to get a valuation for a German mug, not to be forgotten are the huge variety of beer gift ideas for men orgifts for Opa that can be found by shopping for a German gift beer stein. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Dont be fooled, though. Prior to buying, differentiate genuine beer steins that are collectible by checking the quality, age, and manufacturer. Reinhold Merkelbach Stein Catalog The firm of Reinhold Merkelbachbegan producing beer steins and related wares in 1882 in the Westerwald town of Hhr, and is perhaps best remembered today for its contributions to the region's Jugenstil(Art Nouveau) period beginning in the early 20th century. But theres something else you can look for to help you tell the difference. It is a form or mold number rather than a date. The flat lid has detailed designs of vines and petals carved around its rim. As might be expected, older steins have a higher value than newer beer mugs. FREE shipping Add to Favorites . The first molded steins were made in the region of Westerwald by Reinhold Hanke. In terms of the artwork, only angels who have strategically covered their naughty bits are frequently depicted in nudist poses. Lead marketer, brewer, dad, and husband. are vital. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Antique German Beer Stein Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Butter Churns Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Mantel Clocks Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Perfume Bottles Value (Identificattion & Price Guides). Typically, the steins have a Made in Germany or Germany mark. However, they are more challenging to certify because you cannot stamp the beer cup without causing damage to its transparent surface. This was a requirement of exports after 1887. Still, even these machine-made mugs can be worth something if they have the privilege or provenance. Most steins made by machines have a flawless finish. Typical of Hauber & Reuther is the uniquely green beer stein handles with their ridges and foliage patterns. When a beer stein is handmade, it will have human errors. This became a crucial safety factor during the bubonic plague outbreak of the mid-1300s. This stein is made in the style of the mid-1800s. However, brilliant natural scenery surrounds them, and they are clad in colorful attire. German beer steins are for more than just drinking beer. German steins typically range within the volumes of .25 Liter, .5 Liter, .75 Liter and 1 Liter. They are known as regimental Beer Steins in the military. Older beer mugs, however, might not have such a marking. The distinctively green handle with its ridges and leafy designs is a typical Hauber & Reuther feature. However, most items with these markings are antique glass mugs. Funnily enough, they can be made of ceramic, porcelain, glass, wood, and pewter lids. In all, you can consider meeting a professional to value your German beer stein. But that is not to say that a German beer stein with no country-of-origin mark is fake. All comments are moderated before being published, A short sentence describing what someone will receive by subscribing. However, you wont discover the intricate embellishments in handmade German beer steins. Its hand-painted, with a carefully carved lid and a thumb lift shaped like a bird. This element increases the beer mugs sentimental value. We are passionate about Oktoberfest and we care about our customers. The bottom of the mug has multiple verification stamps including Villeroy & Bosch. Do your beer steins have value? The beer mugs are embellished with sheaves of wheat while the lids have triple-hare logos. They also have distinct ornamentation and come in various sizes and styles. So a beer mug that tells a story is valuable because it sparks conversation during a casual drink-up or a home visitation. These beautiful, delicate, and i, Vintage Enamelware Pitchers Create a Country Feel, As you browse in your local antique store or peruse items in an online auction, you might see vintage enamelware pitchers. The beauty of the German beer steins lies in the diversity of decorating styles. The lid is the most effective way of identifying a steins age, price and quality. Steins made prior to World War I are a good starting point for determining age. Classic Zoller & Born Bayern Flag .75L German Beer Stein. Stoneware stein production rose steadily until the 1850s, with Frechen, Siegburg and Kreussen being production centers. As with other antique items, the age of a stein beer mug is crucial in determining its value. An avid antiques collector herself, Kate has written about antiques for many years. Older designs depict Biblical, Mythical and historical figures and battles. Other steins may depict novel ideas or have distinctly modern gimmicks, but a classic stein should depict something meaningful. It explains why steins remain valuable and highly sought after to date. Brand: Westerwald Year: 1991 Value: $124.10 They were made from molds, which lowers their uniqueness and value. For example, they can have strange paint flecks or colors outside the lines. Regardless of background, the poor (who drank from wood or stoneware mugs) and rich (from tankards made of silver, glass and pewter) would all need to drink from containers with hinged lids. Discover how to identify these pairs of dog figurines and what they're worth. Typically made of German glassware or stoneware, a German stein is used for drinking beer. Its possibly West German since western steins had a brown finish while eastern ones were more likely to have a white or blue glaze. One of the easiest ways to know the value of an antique German beer stein is from its uniqueness and original decorations. Calibration mark:It indicates the capacity of the stein, and its role is to allow room for beer froth. Although older high-value German steins are hand-painted, it can get confusing. This led to unique military traditions like commemorating a soldiers career with a personalized beer stein. "Stein" is a German word literally meaning stone but comes from the phrase, "Stein Krug" (stone mug). Traditional beer steins were made of wood, stone, or blown glass. As a result, they mass-produced beer stein after adopting molds; thus, their exquisite, intricately carved relief work was no longer distinctive. They mean something. Prost! And in this one, a soldier is making out with a woman who resembles Snow White. Phrases like "Gemacht in Deutschland" or "Made in Germany" are common. Most beer steins come from Germany, where they were made at least as early as the 15th century. This is why you may find an antique lid on a new Chinese stein. The German beer stein markings under this stein identify the piece as made in Germany and originating from lot 444. Soldiers riding horses and several literary features were depicted in its vibrant decoration. An excellent example is this beer stein with cherubs dressed in sashes. The German beer stein is a German invention, and you would want to see Made in Germany or Gemacht/Hergestellt in Deutschland. Their monetary and sentimental value will depend on what year and what era theyre from. The following is just a sampling of some of the styles that are popular among those who collect beer steins. Genuine German beer mugs are often expensive and bulky because they are made with costly materials such as silver, pewter, wood, glass, etc. FREE shipping. Therefore, a beer mug with a folktale is highly valued since it starts a conversation during a get-together or house visit. The mug is 6 12 inches wide with the handle attached, 12 inches tall to the top of the lid, and contains one liter. If it reads handarbeit, it is a handmade item that can have color overlaps. Lets go over a few distinct features of each stein. Jugendstil beer steins are from the Art Nouveau period of Germany, which lasted from 1900 to the 1920s. These flaws may have been frowned on at the time, but they add value today. Ornamental Lids:Pewter is always used to make such steins. The most renowned manufacturing centers for German beer steins included Frechen, Siegburg, Kreussen, and Cologne. Crystal German Beer Stein with Hinged Lids. Hand-carved designs indicate authenticity, and those with a German patriotic scheme can be more valuable. It has a stone body and lid with a ring of pewter on the cover. This mug features a lady in a pink dress serving patrons at a beer garden. Soon after, rings enclosed by glass or ceramic lids developed from ornamental pewter fittings came. To make fake steins appear older, darkening substances. A certificate of authenticity is useful for newer artifacts, and this beer stein has one. Most of the steins made in Germany are fabricated using the following materials: earthenware, ceramics, silver, crystal, glass, porcelain, pewter, creamware, and wood. The beer stein did not have this indication before the late 1800s. German Beer Stein, circa mid-20th Century Brown ceramic beer stein features several pictorial and text cartouches. You should take note of the following periods when finding out the age of your German beer. Manufacturers started putting bumps on stein handles in the 1920s. The Westerwald Handmade steins with cobalt blue sides and a pewter lid are the best proof, which still sought after today. Finding the period when your stein was made is important because older pieces will typically be more valuable. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Timeless Appeal of Satsuma Vases: A Collector's Guide. Credit card data is not stored. Buying a collectible beer stein can make for a unique German gift idea for someone special. That raises prices too! Thats why you can find different markings on an antique stein. This type of German beer stein marking has a P on the outside bottom surface, meaning it is a prototype piece. The German faience steins were: Many German beer stein makers continued making faience steins throughout the 18th century. I have a German beer Stein that only has on the pewter lid T Scherger Kunstmuller . Hes sitting next to a lady and perhaps planning to serenade her. It can be a useful skill for unstamped finds like this one. In the past, there was a tradition for the owner's last name and status to be engraved on the stein. How Do I Identify Old German Beer Steins? It features angels and a dancing couple. However, the marks and designs on German beer steins frequently depicted biblical themes, animal-based parables, or German folk tales. For about 300 years, the German beer stein was made from clay and had a pewter lid. Before the clay is baked, others press in markings. That way, you can spot them at a glance, even without the logo label. 5 out of 5 stars (501) $ 154.95. Patriotic scenes Folk tales are a popular motif carved into the body of a stein. Like the porcelain steins, beer steins made of the following materials were also very costly: The German beer steins produced from the mid-19th to early 20th century saw a resurgence in the popularity of stoneware steins decorated with Renaissance designs and motifs. Steins made of precious materials or that are qualified antiques can fetch a higher value. 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