Description: This very traditional and beautiful German beer stein was produced by Villeroy and Boch in Mettlach over 120 years ago.

The exceptionally crafted ceramic art object consists of a tan clay body with greenish-blue slip and high (bas) relief white figures of children on a beer barrel driven by two goats.

The relief is very detailed and nicely designed by a great artist. This type of very fine, almost porcelain-like stoneware was unique to Mettlach at the time. It was made of liquid clay, pressed into a mold and allowed to harden enough to coat the mold's walls. It was fired, the insides were glazed with white glaze and fired again.

The goats that drive the barrel in the picture are called "Bock" in German - the same name applies to a special, stronger type of beer. The goats are the symbol of the Bock beer, and this symbol was used in many beer steins. The children are carrying a banner reading "Bock Bier".

The lid is pewter with stoneware inlay showing hops and barley.

The stein is marked on the bottom with a stamped green Mettlach Mercury mark, the model number "783", and "03" for the year of production 1903.

It is a fantastic and very beautiful antique beer-drinking vessel!

The stein is in excellent condition - no chips, breaks, or repairs, and has a clean interior. It stands 8" tall to the top of the thumblift, 0.5 L capacity.