Antique Very Early Saltglazed Stoneware Beer Stein – Rheinland Siegburg c. Hello, my dear customers! I will be out of the country from September 2nd to September 12th. Please keep this in mind! Presented is a very old German beer stein that dates back to 1400s – 1600s and was 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, Siegburg, Frechen, and Raeren. This simple and even primitive beer stein was made in the town of Siegburg – one of the German oldest and productive pottery centers. The beginning of pottery production go back to 12th century. It was in 14th century when a transition from earthenware and proto-stoneware took place, culminating in fully vitrified stoneware by the end of the 15th century. The salt glaze was successfully used throughout the 16th century. The stein presented is made of light brown unglazed stoneware with no decorations. It has a dent and a hole in the side. It happened because the potters were trying to squeeze as many steins as possible into the kiln – there are many similar pieces with dents (see my pics). However, this one has a hole as well and was probably a refuse – that’s why it shows no other damage. The potters in Rhineland area were making beer drinking wares in amazing quantities. They were exporting them to the Netherlands and from there to England and the rest of the Europe and Americas. They were inexpensive and practical. Please take a look at my pics! Also, I’ve found very similar stoneware jugs in Peter Breugel the Elder painting “Peasant Wedding” from 1567. Some are slightly different, some are exactly the same. And finally, I have a couple of pics from a ceramics museum in Cologne – it shows some very similar pieces – and with the dents on the sides! Condition: a dent with a whole on the side. Height: 6.25 in. Get Supersized Images & Free Image Hosting. Attention Sellers – Get Templates Image Hosting, Scheduling at Auctiva. Com. Track Page Views With.