Fish Design Lidded Beer Stein w/ Pewter Lid & Handle Breweriana

This is a vintage German figural "Herring" character beer stein, famously produced by manufacturers like Reinhold Merkelbach (Mold No. 1152) or A.J. Thewalt.
Design Features: It features a high-relief molded body composed of vertical herring fish, a matching ceramic lidded top, and a pewter hinge with a thumb-lift.
Humorous Inscription: The German inscription around the base reads "Den größten Kater lehrt Erfahrung, bezwingt ein guter sauer Hering"—a clever double meaning playing on Kater (which translates to both "tomcat" and "hangover"), noting that the biggest hangover is cured by a good sour herring. [1]
Collectibility: These hand-painted pieces are classic examples of traditional German breweriana, often incorporating hidden cats or monkeys peering through the fish scales.