Goebel Merkelbach Salzglasur Beer Stein with Blue Owl Motif West Germany 226/18

Identification and History of the Manufacturer: Goebel Merkelbach Salzglasur.The W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik (famous for Hummel figurines) took over the Merkelbach firm (Reinhold Merkelbach), which had a long history of producing high-quality stoneware in the Westerwald region. The combined name indicates the production during their collaborative period. Material and Finish: Salzglasur (Salt Glaze Stoneware). This is a traditional German stoneware technique where salt is thrown into the kiln during firing, creating a distinctive, slightly textured, gray-brown or gray surface with a light sheen. Country of Origin: West Germany. This stamp definitively places the production of this stein between 1949 and 1990 (the era of West Germany), making it a mid-20th-century collectible. Motif: Blue Owl (or "Eulenspiegel"). Owl motifs are common in German steins, often symbolizing wisdom or, in some playful contexts, a "wise fool" (like the folk figure Till Eulenspiegel). The blue cobalt decoration against the gray salt glaze is the classic German stoneware color palette. Model/Mold Number: 226/18.This is the manufacturer's specific mold number, which helps confirm the exact design and capacity. The number likely refers to a smaller capacity (e.g., $0.18$ Liter or possibly $0.25$ Liter, as the "18" is often a size code, though the exact capacity is not standard across manufacturers).