UPDATED 11/29/2023
GERMAN CHARACTER
BEER - BIER STEINS
WHAT IS A CHARACTER STEIN?
A character stein (also referred to as a figural stein) is a stein with a shape designed to represent an object, person or animal. It is a style category as opposed to a materials category.
Although figural vessels date back to several centuries before the Greeks, true character steins had to await the development of the hinged lid, in the early 1500's. There are stoneware character steins that date from about that period, generally in the form of owls or seated bears, but they are quite rare. One can only speculate as to why there are so few character steins that pre-date the late 1800's. A popular theory is that demand for whimsical, odd shaped vessels did not warrant the manufacturer's attention until the late 1800's. Another theory is that there was too much effort required to produce these "statuettes" before the introduction, in the late 1800's, of molds that could more easily accommodate such shapes, such as slip molds.
Some of the character steins that appeared around the 1850's were bisque porcelain pieces that were made by E. Bohne Soehne of the Thuringen region of Germany. This factory, along with others in Plaue, are believed to be responsible for much of the initial manufacture of character steins.
While many character steins are made of porcelain, there are also other important materials. Next to porcelain the most common is stoneware. Pewter and various other kinds of ceramic round out the character stein materials that are occasionally encountered. (From: The Beer Stein Book - a 400 Year History, by Gary Kirsner and Jim Gruhl)
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FROGER - Frog lidded stein. This hand painted pottery 7 3/4" lidded stein was made in Western Germany by E & R between 1955 - 1960. The stein has the Ebeling & Reuss Co. illuminised sticker, on the back of the stein by the handle. Features a frog all decked out with his jacket, hat and gun. He is seen holding a banner that reads: �Willst du nicht dem Frosche gleich im Sumpf versinken steige in Gambrinus Reich wo volle humpen winken.� (If you don�t want to sink into the swamp like a frog, climb into Gambrinus� empire where full steins beckon.) Generic box.$75.00
4312 - 1987 " St. Nick Character " lidded stein.
This 7" lidded stein was made in Germany by Gerz. St Nick brings to life the traditional Santa Claus in festive reds and crisp white accents. St. Nick's head forms the lid and is attached to a pewter thumblift. Generic box.$65.00
4317 - 1992 Outhouse lidded stein. This heavy 8 1/8" lidded stein was made in Germany by Gerz. Stoneware stein with raised relief decorations. A whimsical character stein that can be appreciated by anyone who has ever visited this historical establishment. Complete with a " half moon " on the door. Bottom of door shows dropped trousers on top of 2 shoes and a drink, in a mug, left outside. Generic box.$58.00
6075 - 2000 Millennium Lithopane lidded stein. This 11 1/2" lidded figural stein is the latest creation by scupltor Tino Schunke. It depicts 2 seperate figural subjects: Old Father Time with a cane on one side above the year 1999 and the New Year's Baby is depicted on the other side with a silver leaf trumpet and floating on a puff of clouds above the year 2000. The handle of the stein is in the shape of a sand timer: the 2000 side displays a full timer wheras the 1999 side shows the time all but empty. When you open the lid and hold the bottom up to the light, the lithopane, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, of " Man " with 4 arms and legs within a Roman numeral clock dial, is seen. The year dates 1999 and 2000, on the stein, are accented with gold leaf. Individually numbered. This one is numbered 32 of a limited edition of 2000. Generic box.$178.00
6123 - Uncle Sam Character lidded stein. This 7 1/2" lidded stein was made in Germany by Domex. Features a wide-eyed Uncle Sam with his bow tie, top hat and beard. His top hat is the lid. Generic box.$65.00
6475 - 1992 Ferris Wheel lidded stein. This 7 3/4" lidded stein was made in Germany by Corzelius. This stein was inspired by one of the most famous ferris wheels of all time in Vienna called the Riesenrad. This Warner Corzelius hand painted original intricately detailed three dimensional lidded stein sculpted in a three panel format, displays three different views of the ferris wheel. Space is cut through the ferris wheel to create the handle of the stein. Conical shape pewter lid. Generic box.$85.00
6493 - Clown lidded stein. This 9" lidded stein was made in Germany by Corzelius. This is a continuation of the commitment that Werner Corzelius has with themes of the circus, as is evidenced by his previous editions of carousels, big top tent and ferris wheels. This Warner Corzelius hand painted original intricately detailed three dimensional lidded stein features 3 seperate clowns in vivid colors and full make-up, underneath an umbrella. The top of the umbrella is the lid. The handle is in the shape of an umbrella. Individually numbered. Generic box.OUT
6721 - Pig lidded stein. This 5 3/4" lidded stein is made of porcelain and has a deep relief decoration. The entirely hand painted body features a comical pig motif. Stein has a pewter lid with a porcelain insert. A reproduction of an antique stein made from an original mold. Generic box.OUT
6722 - Crocodile lidded stein. This 5 3/4" lidded stein is made of porcelain ans has a very deep and detailed relief decoration. The stein features a crocodile entirely wrapped around the stein body, with the tail swinging up to form the handle. An illusion is created when the tail seems to pierce up through the body to create the lid ornament. A reproduction of an antique stein made from an original mold. Generic box.OUT
6723 - Owl lidded stein. This 5 1/2" lidded stein is made of porcelain and has deep and very detailed relief decoration. This whimsical owl is complete with great detailing, handpainting and inset eyes. A pewter lid also serves as the base for the porcelain inset owl ears. A reproduction of an antique made from an original mold. Generic box.OUT
6734 � Scared Cat lidded stein. This is a 7 1/2" lidded porcelian, deep-relief figural stein. An eerie, frightened cat is the subject of this antique reproduction. The tail is the handle, a book serves as the base of the stein and the cat�s hunched back is the inlaid lid ornament. Pewter lid. Entirely handpainted. Antique reproduction. Generic box.
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6736 - Sherlock Holmes lidded stein. This hand painted porcelain 6 3/4" lidded stein, was made in Germany by the Albert Stahl Company. Features Sherlock Holmes in wonderful detail including his calabash pipe. The pewter thumblift is also in the shape of the pipe. Generic box.OUT
6744 � Moon lidded stein. This is a 6 1/2" lidded porcelain, deep-relief figural stein. This whimsical antique reproduction depicts a sleepy moon wearing a night cap. The handle is shaped like a key. Entirely handpainted with pewter lid inset in porcelain. Generic Box.
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6763 - Perched Owl lidded stein. This 7 1/2" lidded stein is a reproduction of an original Ernst Boehne Soehne stein. The original molds were used to form it. The owl's head is seperately cast of porcelain and mounted on a pewter lid. Generic box.OUT
6764 - Lion lidded stein. This 5" lidded stein is made of porcelain and is entirely hand painted. The symbol of Bavaria was most likely the inspiration of this Ernst Boehne Soehne reproduction stein. The top of the lion's head is seperately cast and is mounted on a pewter lid. Generic box.OUT
6765 - Corn Cob lidded stein. This 8" lidded stein is made of porcelain and completely hand painted. The stein really resembles a corn cob except for the mischievous smile on the body. The handle is a frowning cob of corn. This is an an antique reproduction, made from an original mold. Generic box.OUT
HOUDMC - 2004 Houdini Milk Can Trick lidded stein. This 9 1/2" lidded stein was made in Germany by Gerz for the Appleton Brewing Co. in Appleton, Wisconsin. The brewery made Houdini Beer and Root Beer. The stein features Houdini all tied up getting ready to perform his famous Milk Can magic trick. Individually numbered. Limited edition of 500. Generic box.OUT
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