Mettlach stein number 1786 above II, the St. Florian stein, is one of the most beautiful and skillfully crafted, etched and glazed steins produced by Villeroy & Boch during its "Golden Era", with artistry attributed to Otto Hupp. The stein first appears in the 1899 Mettlach Catalog. This incomparable stein features a grotesque fire-breathing dragon handle, clawing its way up the rear of the stein and over the pewter lid, fashioned as a tiled rooftop. The ferocious creature has set fire to the village featured on the body of the stein. Flames and smoke leap through windows and across roofs, threatening the steepled church. Through the smoke and hovering above the disaster, Saint Florian appears and rescues the village. Florian is dressed in Roman military garb, holding the Flag of The Church atop of his spear in his left hand and dousing the fires from a bucket held in his right. The inscription reads: Hilf Du Heil'ger Florian. Wir Fanger 'S Zweite Loeschen An. which translates as "Help, O Holy Florian. We are beginning the second dousing. CONDITION overall good with chip off beak near lid. 9" Tall