Smaller Antique Early German Beer Stein Bartmann Bellarmine Style Rhineland Frechen circa late 1500 – early 1600s. Description: I will be posting this week several very early German beer steins They date back to 1500s – 1600s and were made in the “Rhineland” – the region in Germany by the river Rhine where traditionally the early stoneware production took place. The most important towns to produce the stoneware were Cologne, Sieburg, Frechen and Raeren. This beer stein is one of the oldest beer drinking vessels. It dates back to the years of late 1500s – early 1600s and was made in the town of Frechen – one of the most important centers of early stoneware production in Germany. It is made in the tradition of “Bartmann” or “Bellarmine” beer steins of the same shape and color without the applied decorations. The bearded man steins from Frechen are the most classical of all the Bartmann pieces. They were produced for over a century and exported in large quantities to England, Scandinavia and the New World. It is estimated that between 1600 and 1640 approximately 10 million pieces were delivered to London and subsequently to all parts of the world. The stein is made of gray saltglazed stoneware with the applied slip of iron-rich clay that created this distinctive Frechen brown glaze – only in a very light tone. There is no applied or impressed decorations. The stein is in excellent condition for about 400 – 450 years old. Most of the Bartmannskruege are repaired or restored. This one has no chips, cracks or repairs. There is some superficial glaze crazing but no real cracks. This is a beautiful and very impressive piece that has about 400 years behind it! I guarantee my description and my dating. I have attached a photo of a very similar jug from the period painting of the mid 1500s. This is a smaller stein – about 7.5 tall, 0.5L capacity. Year: circa late -1500s. Height: 7.5 in. Auctiva offers Free Image Hosting and Editing. Track Page Views With.