Germany, Imperial. A First World War Patriotic Stein

 (Erster Weltkrieg Krug). A very well-preserved First World War patriotic stein, constructed of glazed off-white earthenware, the exterior bearing a hand-painted 1914 Iron Cross overlaid by a central wreathed German Imperial tricolour banner, circumscribed by an inscription of “MITT GOTT FÜR KAISER UND REICH” (“WITH GOD FOR KAISER AND REICH”), featuring a protruding rounded handle flanked by a measurement of “½ L.” for one half litre, the handle retaining a pewter lid set on a functional swivel hinge with a thumb grip, the lid bearing an intricate raised design and the thumb grip featuring a monogram of Kaiser Wilhelm II, unmarked, measuring 95 mm (w) (exclusive of handle) x 135 mm (h) (exclusive of thumb grip), with no evident chipping or cracking, in near extremely fine condition.