The First Premier Auction of the Year Sale
Lot 7:
Description
Mettlach St. Florian, Mettlach No. 1786, .5 liter Beer Stein by Otto Hupp
Villeroy & Boch’s "Golden Era" period produced some of the most beautifully crafted steins, and this one featuring St. Florian rescuing a village from a fire-breathing dragon is a prime example. This stein, which first appeared in the 1899 Mettlach Catalog, is a true masterpiece, with its intricate etching and glazing and its unique handle depicting a dragon clawing its way over a pewter lid.
The body of the stein shows a village engulfed in flames and smoke, with St. Florian appearing above the disaster to rescue the town. Dressed in military garb and holding the flag of the Church in one hand and a bucket in the other, St. Florian is shown dousing the flames and saving the day. The inscription on the stein reads "Hilf Du Heiliger Florian. Wir Fangen’s Zweite Löschen An", which translates to "Help, O Holy Florian. We are beginning the second extinguishing. The second extinguishing may refer to the tradition of drinking beer to extinguish thirst.
St. Florian, who has been the patron saint of firefighters and chimney sweeps since the 12th century, is also known as the official saint of beer drinkers. The stein was designed by Otto Hupp, a well-known artist and heraldist in Germany at the time, who created over 36 works for Villeroy & Boch/Mettlach and was highly sought after for his artistry, the subject matter of his steins, and the character handles he designed. This .5 liter stein is one of the most elaborate and difficult made by Mettlach, and is a true collector’s item.
8.25" High x 5.75"W, Base 4" Diameter
Notice to Bidders
The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition. Complete condition information is available by request, no later than 24 hours prior to the auction. All lots are offered and sold "as is", and COLLECTive Hudson will not provide refunds based on condition. Timepiece movements, lighting and electrics have not been tested, and art has not been examined out of the frame unless otherwise stated.
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