Antique Early German Westerwald Stoneware Beer Stein Fantasy Creatures dated 1827. Description: I continue posting early Westerwald beer steins from the Schlossmuseum collection in Altenburg, Germany. Beer steins made before 1800 are quite rare. Before the Industrial Revolution, production was all manual. Every stein made in the early period was unique, decorated by hand, and rarely replicated. This beautiful stein was made in 1827 or some time before, it is guaranteed old give or take 10 years. It is made in a very traditional style of grey stoneware with cobalt-blue glaze. This is a very traditional beer-drinking vessel – a type that was produced for centuries, from the mid-1600s to the mid-1800s. The production of saltglazed stoneware beer steins in the Westerwald region of Germany reached the highest quality by the end of the 18th century. The stein is elaborately etched all over the body with stylized images of animals creating a group of fantasy creatures. The decorations are etched into the clay with a sharp instrument. The stein is also glazed with cobalt-blue glaze, fired, and saltglazed. The decorations are quite intricate and labor-intensive. The lid is pewter with a hollow ball ribbed thumblift – this type of thumblifts was used throughout the entire 1700s and the first half of the 1800s. The lid is engraved with the original owner’s initials: F. There are pewter hallmarks on the inside of the lid – see pics. The stein is in good condition – there is a chip on the upper rim under the lid but no hairlines, major cracks, or repairs. The thumblift is slightly smashed. This is a good condition for such an old piece. The inscriptions on the bottom are the museum notes and inventory numbers. They could be easily removed if needed. The stein is 8.5 tall to the top of the thumblift, 1L capacity. I guarantee the authenticity. Condition: chip under lid, smashed thumblift. Height: 8.5 in. Auctiva offers Free Image Hosting and Editing. Track Page Views With.