Vintage Gerz German Beer Stein Tankard Mother Mama Fox Baby Fox Kits RARE

This is most certainly one of the nicer Gerz steins I've seen! Gorgeous nature scene depicting a mother fox with her two baby kits, in vibrant colours with elaborate cream oak leaf raised embelishments banded below scene! The foxes are in bas relief. The colors are reds, browns, oranges and white. The stein's lid is decorated with oak leaves and acorns. It is in fine condition with no chips cracks or repairs. The underside of the lid is marked Gerz 94% Zinn (pewter) above an angel image. The Gerz marking also appears on the base of the stein. The stein measures 8 inches tall including the finial on the handle and 5 1/2 inches wide including the handle. Simon Peter Gerz formed the company that bears his name in 1857, beginning actual production of ceramic wares in 1862. The economic upheaval brought about by World War I and its aftermath caused Gerz to cease production for a brief period in 1917/1918 and again in 1923, but nonetheless the company managed to survive for more than 135 years and, in fact, became the dominant player among Westerwald ceramics manufacturers in the period following World War II. Some questionable strategic decisions in the 1990s forced Gerz into bankruptcy and a partial liquidation in 1997, and in 1999 the company permanently shut down all manufacturing operations. However, rights to use of the company name and trademarks were purchased by Domex Geschenk-Manufactur GmbH, which continues to distribute Gerz steins today, albeit produced mainly i