Clear Glass Diamond Lid Stein

This remarkable antique German beer stein dates to the late 19th century and features a rare combination of elegant craftsmanship and personal memento. The stein is made from thick, fluted crystal glass and is capped with a stunning multi-faceted glass lid set in pewter. The ornate thumblift and hinge detail further showcase classic Wilhelmine or Jugendstil-era design influences.

The front of the stein displays an inset sepia-tone photographic portrait of a woman in Victorian attire, bordered in a hand-applied gold oval. These types of photo steins—often commissioned as commemorative or memorial pieces—were popular in Germany and Austria around the 1880s–1910s. The woman may have been a family member, performer, or beloved figure, preserved in a highly collectible form.

Measuring approximately 9.5 inches tall (including the pointed lid), this stein is both a decorative and historical piece, embodying the personalized art glass traditions of late Imperial Germany.

Key Features:

• Origin: Germany or Austria-Hungary

• Era: Circa 1880s–1890s

• Materials: Clear fluted crystal glass, pewter mount, faceted glass lid

• Unique Feature: Sepia photographic portrait (transfer or embedded print under glaze)

• Style: Wilhelmine, Victorian, Jugendstil

• Condition: Excellent antique condition with minor expected wear to base and pewter