{"id":15550,"date":"2022-10-05T14:30:21","date_gmt":"2022-10-05T12:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homesandantiques.com\/?p=15206"},"modified":"2022-10-05T14:56:15","modified_gmt":"2022-10-05T12:56:15","slug":"everything-you-probably-didnt-know-about-mochaware","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/rss_feed\/everything-you-probably-didnt-know-about-mochaware\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything you (probably) didn\u2019t know about mochaware"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Katy Layton\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 05 October 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Once vessels found only in pubs and taverns, mochaware ceramics have risen through the ranks to become a lively and lucrative collecting field. Hailing from Stoke-on-Trent, but created all over Britain, here\u2019s why these unsung heroes of the ceramics world are still popular with modern-day buyers\u2026<\/h4>\n

Made for the people<\/h3>\n

From mottled, watercolour<\/b> designs reminiscent of seaweed or trees, to concentric rings of abstract shapes, mochaware pieces are happily both collectable and affordable. \u2018Each and every piece of mochaware is handmade and unique,\u2019 muses antiques dealer Sam White of Cunningham White\u2019s in Totnes, who has a penchant for all things mocha. \u2018It is evocative of ancient country taverns with aged settles, cricket tables and old gents smoking long pipes.\u2019<\/p>\n

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19th-century green mocha mugs, \u00a3200 for a pair, Walpole Antiques<\/a>;\u00a0Decorated in the popular \u2018seaweed\u2019 style, this collection of four mochaware mugs costs \u00a3625 from Walpole Antiques. The largest mug (able to hold a quart of liquid) dates from the late Victorian era and the remaining three are Edwardian.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Although the inventor of mochaware is unknown, the earliest surviving pieces date from around 1800 (give or take a few years) and originated in Stoke, though items were produced across Britain, France and America. They were practical and sturdy ceramic vessels that were affordable to buy, and made for day-to-day activities such as supping ale or cider. \u2018The connection to everyday lives still appeals to people today,\u2019 explains Sam. \u2018There\u2019s nothing aloof or elitist about mochaware: it\u2019s simple, utilitarian, workaday ware.\u2019<\/p>\n

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19th-century yellow-ground pitcher, \u00a3950, Tim Bowen Antiques<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

How is mochaware made?<\/h3>\n

Behind the Designs<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2018There are the<\/b> more common types of mochaware, with the tree or fernlike \u2018dendritic\u2019 pattern, often on a white background with blue and beige bandings,\u2019 says Sam. \u2018And there are fanciful names given to the other designs \u2013 looping earthworm or cat\u2019s eyes, which describe the way the designs look.\u2019<\/p>\n

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An array of antique mochaware sold by Tim Bowen Antiques, prices start from \u00a3150.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Each unique pattern is created by touching or dripping an acidic \u2018tea\u2019 solution onto the wet slip of a mug, tankard or other vessel. This \u2018tea\u2019, however, is unlike the standard cup of char one might drink in the afternoon. A complicated concoction of tobacco juice, stale urine, turpentine and sometimes vinegar, it causes a reaction with the alkaline slip, which creates the unusual tree-like patterns.<\/p>\n

The designs are called mochaware because they resemble the patterns found in moss agate, a semi-precious gemstone formed from silicon dioxide, which was exported in large numbers from the port city of Mocha in Yemen. A port better known for its export of coffee!<\/p>\n

The evolution of striped ceramics<\/h2>\n

1750s<\/strong>\u00a0The bread and butter of early English ceramics, spongeware often includes concentric rings of sponged designs.<\/p>\n

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1800s<\/strong>\u00a0All mochaware features bands of coloured stripes, the earliest surviving examples of which date from 1800.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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1924<\/strong>\u00a0Produced by TG Green, Cornishware, with its bands of blue, is perhaps the most iconic striped kitchen ceramic.<\/p>\n

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1930s<\/strong>\u00a0Featuring vivid rings of red, orange and black, designs by Clarice Cliff brought striped ceramics to the art deco era.<\/p>\n

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2020<\/strong>\u00a0Stripes are timeless and, thanks to the recent trend for artisan ceramics, pieces that combine the two are going nowhere.<\/p>\n

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2 ways to style mochaware in your home<\/h2>\n
1<\/span>

Traditional touches<\/h3>\n<\/div>

In Rory Young\u2019s sympathetically renovated home, a large collection of Victorian mochaware, in size order, takes pride of place above a striking red Aga and a hand-built chimneypiece.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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2<\/span>

\u00a0B<\/span>looming lovely<\/h3>\n<\/div>

Here, interior designer Carlos S\u00e1nchez-Garc\u00eda has created a springtime display by filling an antique mocha mug with a pink-hued posy of sweet peas. The earthy colours and style of the mochaware keeps the look classic and grounded.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/p>\n

What to look out for when buying mochaware<\/h2>\n

Easy to come across in antiques shops or at flea markets, mochaware can be an affordable and rewarding collecting field. But how easy is it to date an item, and how can you tell when the price is right?<\/p>\n

Holding pattern<\/b><\/p>\n

The most common types of mochaware are those with the traditional tree-like pattern on a white background with blue and beige bands. \u2018Any variations from this traditional design are more collectable and will often fetch more money,\u2019 explains Sam White. \u2018Larger pieces are also worth more, as fewer of them were made.\u2019<\/p>\n

Like this? You may also like\u2026<\/h4>\n

The history behind the Brighton bun candlestick<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Everything you need to know about Wedgwood Jasperware<\/a><\/p>\n

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Age is another factor that can affect value. Although mocha dates from the 1700s, it was made in vast quantities in the 20th century. \u2018Pieces are seldom marked by their maker, so look for any \u2018excise\u2019 marks, especially on mugs and tankards,\u2019 says Sam. \u2018These marks were used to show what capacity the vessel could hold \u2013 quart, pint or half-pint. A rough idea of the date of manufacture can be gained from these as they have the monarch\u2019s initials on them,\u2019 Sam continues. \u2018For example, \u2019VR\u2019 would mean the piece was Victorian.\u2019\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, manufacturers only began to register their designs from around the 1830s onwards, so don\u2019t expect to find marks on all examples of mochaware.<\/p>\n

Condition is key<\/b><\/p>\n

Expect to pay upwards of \u00a31,000 for an old piece of mochaware in mint condition \u2013 any chips or cracks will decrease the value. \u2018Personally, I don\u2019t mind chips, as these pieces were made to be used and abused,\u2019 says Sam. \u2018Some of my favourite pieces of mochaware are endearingly referred to as \u2018make-do-and-mend ware\u2019, as they had been repaired by their previous owners.\u2019 Pieces of this nature, and other small examples, can be bought for around \u00a340-\u00a350.<\/p>\n

Shop the look \u2013 other mochaware for your home<\/h2>\n

Victorian mochaware tankard, \u00a3165<\/b>, Cunningham White\u2019s<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Mochaware preserve pot, \u00a317.95<\/b>, Davids Old Stuff <\/i>at Etsy<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n

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Antique mocha piggy bank, \u00a359.99<\/b>, No Empty Shelf <\/i>at Etsy<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Pearlware pottery mocha table salt c1830, \u00a3350<\/b>, Martyn Edgell Antique<\/a>s<\/a><\/i>.<\/p>\n

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Antique mochaware pottery mug, \u00a3280<\/b>, The Antique Dispensary<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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<\/b>Mochaware spill vases c1830, \u00a3950<\/b>, Martyn Edgell Antiques<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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By Katy Layton Published: Wednesday, 05 October 2022 at 12:00 am Once vessels found only in pubs and taverns, mochaware ceramics have risen through the ranks to become a lively and lucrative collecting field. Hailing from Stoke-on-Trent, but created all over Britain, here\u2019s why these unsung heroes of the ceramics world are still popular with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":15551,"template":"","categories":[1,23],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"6"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/10\/everything-you-probably-didnt-know-about-mochaware.jpg",1981,1321,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/10\/everything-you-probably-didnt-know-about-mochaware-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/10\/everything-you-probably-didnt-know-about-mochaware-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/10\/everything-you-probably-didnt-know-about-mochaware-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/10\/everything-you-probably-didnt-know-about-mochaware-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/10\/everything-you-probably-didnt-know-about-mochaware-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/10\/everything-you-probably-didnt-know-about-mochaware.jpg",1981,1321,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Katy Layton Published: Wednesday, 05 October 2022 at 12:00 am Once vessels found only in pubs and taverns, mochaware ceramics have risen through the ranks to become a lively and lucrative collecting field. Hailing from Stoke-on-Trent, but created all over Britain, here\u2019s why these unsung heroes of the ceramics world are still popular with…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/15550"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15551"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15550"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15550"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}