Antique German Stoneware Saltglazed Beer – Stein King Gambrinus Regensburg w/Cat Lid c. Description: This type of very old German beer steins is traditionally called “Regensburg” type even though the majority of them were produced in the Westerwald region. These steins are different from the very traditional Westerwald beer vessels – they did not use cobalt-based glaze so the steins keep natural clay color. In Germany, they call them “Model” steins referring to the method of manufacturing. These steins were press-molded to a wooden form, they were turned afterward to make the insides round, then they were fired and the salt was applied to create the very solid surface. The stein is circa the 1870s. The relief decor on the front of the stein shows King Ga mbrinus – the legendary inventor of hopped malt beer. It was a very common subject for Regensburg steins – a massive figure of the King sitting on a beer barrel and saluting with a stein. On one side of the King seats a young woman in ancient Greek garbs holding a bunch of barley with inscription “Die Gerst” (barley) and on another side seats a man holding hops vines with inscription “Hopfenrank” (hops vines). There is also some small script inscriptions I was not able to decypher. Th e lid is pewter with a porcelain inlay showing a depressed cat sitting on a table. I can’t make the the fine script but I know that a cat in German symbolism represents hangover. Leicht – aber fein! ” – “Light – but good! The stein is in excellent condition – a rare thing for a stein this old. On the other side – this type of stoneware is extremely hard and sturdy. The traditional blue stoneware tends to release inner tensions more frequently resulting in hairlines. The natural color stoneware is usually free of this problem. There are some manufacturing impurities, but they all are part of the manual manufacturing process. Remember, the Regensburg steins of the 1860s – 1870s were not industrialized ware, there were made by hand in small shops. The manufacturing glitches only make these pieces even more interesting. Large and impressive antique beer vessel with over 140 years of history behind it. It is 9 tall to the top of the thumblift, 1L capacity. Get Supersized Images & Free Image Hosting. Attention Sellers – Get Templates Image Hosting, Scheduling at Auctiva. Track Page Views With. Auctiva’s FREE Counter. The item “Antique German Stoneware Beer Stein King Gambrinus Regensburg withCat Lid c. 1870s” is in sale since Friday, April 30, 2021. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Breweriana, Beer\Drinkware, Steins\Lidded Steins\Germany”. The seller is “beer-stein” and is located in New York, New York. This item can be shipped worldwide.