{"product_id":"antique-mocha-ware-checkerboard-mugs","title":"Antique Mocha Ware Checkerboard Mugs – Early 19th Century English Mochaware","description":"\u003ch3\u003eCollector-Favorite Checkerboard Pattern | Early 19th Century Mocha Pottery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin: 22px 0 20px 0; padding: 10px 14px 8px 14px; border-left: 4px solid #334FB4; background-color: #f8faff;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #334fb4; font-size: 15px; margin: 0 0 6px 0;\"\u003eCollector’s Note\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMocha ware\u003c\/strong\u003e—also known as mochaware—is a distinctive form of early 19th-century pottery prized for its slip-decorated surfaces. Produced primarily in England from the late 1700s through the mid-1800s, these utilitarian wares were made for everyday use in homes and taverns. Today, collectors especially seek \u003cstrong\u003egeometric patterns like checkerboard designs\u003c\/strong\u003e, which often involved lathe-turning techniques to achieve their crisp, repeating forms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1899\" data-start=\"1721\"\u003eThis collection features\u003cstrong data-end=\"1778\" data-start=\"1746\"\u003e antique mocha ware mugs, \u003c\/strong\u003eeach decorated in the highly collectible \u003cstrong data-end=\"1845\" data-start=\"1821\"\u003echeckerboard pattern\u003c\/strong\u003e, a design prized for its precision and visual rhythm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2439\" data-start=\"2141\"\u003eEach mug displays a hand-applied or lathe-assisted checkerboard design in earthy tones—ranging from deep chocolate brown to olive and pine green—set against a warm ivory or tan ground. Horizontal banding at the rim and base frames the decoration, giving each piece a structured, architectural feel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2714\" data-start=\"2441\"\u003eThese geometric designs were often created using an \u003cstrong data-end=\"2517\" data-start=\"2493\"\u003eengine-turning lathe\u003c\/strong\u003e, where the surface was carefully shaved after slip application to achieve crisp, repeating patterns. Subtle variations between each mug reflect their handmade nature and period production methods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2714\" data-start=\"2441\"\u003eChoose your preferred mug from the options above the \u003cstrong\u003eAt A Glance\u003c\/strong\u003e grid. Each piece is photographed and shown as a multi-image.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"2944\" data-start=\"2888\"\u003eChocolate \u0026amp; Ivory Checkerboard – Marked Austria\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2 ¾” high × 3 ¾” wide (including handle)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMarked “AUSTRIA 00”\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVisible lathe marks on base\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: Small glaze loss areas and minor vertical cracks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"3180\" data-start=\"3116\"\u003eChocolate \u0026amp; Ivory Checkerboard – Classic Form (England)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2 ⅞” high × 3 ¼” across rim\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnmarked\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: Excellent, no chips or cracks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"3326\" data-start=\"3277\"\u003eOlive Green \u0026amp; Tan Checkerboard (England)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3” high × 3 ¾” across rim\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnmarked\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: Very good, small glaze loss near base\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"3477\" data-start=\"3429\"\u003ePine Green \u0026amp; Tan Checkerboard (England)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3 ⅛” high × 4” across rim\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnmarked\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: Very good, minor glaze loss and light lathe irregularity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin: 22px 0 14px 0; padding: 8px 14px 6px 14px; border-left: 3px solid #6A7A8A; background-color: #f4f6f8;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #4a5560; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.2px; margin: 0 0 6px 0;\"\u003eAbout Mocha Pottery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMocha pottery \u003c\/strong\u003eemerged in England in the 1790s as a form of utilitarian earthenware distinguished by its slip‑decorated surfaces. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe name “mocha” derives from the moss agate stone—found near Mocha in Yemen—whose branching inclusions resemble the ware’s signature dendrites. Early production is associated with the William Adams family of Tunstall, England.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduced for everyday use in modest homes and taverns, it featured bands, checkerboards, and the celebrated dendritic “moss” patterns created through chemical reactions on wet slip. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePotters applied decoration quickly: vessels were dipped in liquid slip, then touched with a mixture of tobacco juice, turpentine, hops, and other ingredients that produced the characteristic veining. Additional motifs, including checkerboards and banding, were painted or slip‑trailed by hand. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2826\" data-start=\"2716\"\u003eThese mugs display beautifully as a grouped collection, where the repeating checkerboard patterns create a striking visual rhythm. Whether arranged on open shelving or incorporated into a country or early American kitchen display, they bring texture, history, and understated graphic appeal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2392\" data-start=\"2262\"\u003eExplore our \u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(43, 0, 255);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: rgb(43, 0, 255);\" title=\"Pottery | Antique \u0026amp; Vintage Earthenware \u0026amp; Stoneware\" href=\"https:\/\/thetownhouseantiques.com\/collections\/pottery\"\u003eAntique \u0026amp; Vintage Pottery\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e collections for more redware, yellowware, salt-glazed stoneware, art pottery, and earthenware pieces shaped from clays using regional pottery traditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e","brand":"Antique Pottery","offers":[{"title":"Olive Green \u0026 Tan Checkerboard","offer_id":43165371629635,"sku":null,"price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Chocolate \u0026 Ivory Checkerboard","offer_id":43165371596867,"sku":null,"price":140.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Chocolate \u0026 Ivory Checkerboard (Austria)","offer_id":43165371564099,"sku":null,"price":95.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pine Green \u0026 Tan Checkerboard","offer_id":43165371662403,"sku":null,"price":140.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0114\/3262\/4186\/files\/Mocha_Ware_Brown_100_8125.jpg?v=1776699293","url":"https:\/\/thetownhouseantiques.com\/products\/antique-mocha-ware-checkerboard-mugs","provider":"The Townhouse Antiques \u0026 Vintage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}