United Kingdom
18th-19th Century
Ceramic
Sizes range from 3 3/4″ to 6 1/4″ high

A collection of mochaware in an assortment of sizes with varying motifs, just a selection of which is pictured here. The fascinating history of the form is summarized by artist and designer Kate Hawkins in her “Manifesto for Mochaware”:

“Of course, the name ‘mochaware’ originally came from pottery. It was a style of decoration that began in Staffordshire in the 1770s, which used slip (a fluid clay) to decorate fine creamware and pearlware sometimes in combination with geometric patterns created by an engine-turning lathe. By the early 1790s these alkaline slip surfaces were being further decorated with an acidic tea mixture made up of stale urine, vinegar, turpentine, or tobacco infusion. The acid would react with the alkaline at the point of contact causing tree-like patterns (dendrites) to form. The dendrites were thought to resemble the natural geological markings on moss agate, also known as ‘mocha stone’. This semi-precious gemstone was named after the Yemeni city of Mocha (Al Mukha), once a major exporter of the stone to England.” Hence, mochaware.

Once vessels found in pubs and taverns, mochaware evolved as an ideal day-to-day drinking mug with its utilitarian shape and naturalistic patterns. They are sought after by passionate collectors. Our favorites are the slip-banded mugs with dendritic patterns, and those with the imperial stamp of approval.