This is a wonderful antique salt glaze stoneware jug that originated in the Westerwald region of Germany. Westerwald has a long history of producing this type of salt glazed stoneware. The piece has raised representations of King Gambrinus and a couple of gnomes amongst hops vines. It is glazed in grey against cobalt blue with black bands. A pewter lid is affixed to the top of the piece, attached to the top of the handle. The underside is impressed with the numbers 362 and 8, Germany and a mark that resembles a clover. The jug is quite large, measuring 16 in height to the top of the lid and 13 1/4 to the top of the ceramic, exclusive of the lid. It is in very good condition with only a small surface chip to one of the gnomes knees, and a couple of tiny ones to the vines, all very minor (see photos). The pewter lid appears to have slight denting near the pull (see close-up photo). I believe that this dates to the 1890s, possibly early 1900s.
This is an impressive large example that is beautifully detailed - wonderful addition to a beer stein collection!