Vintage Studio Pottery Mug with Raised Floral Motif | Mid-Century Earth Tone Stoneware
Viridian Eclection
The Piece A vintage studio pottery mug in mid century American stoneware, finished in warm ochre and olive tones, with a deeply raised floral and scroll motif that wraps the body in rhythmic symmet...
The Piece
A vintage studio pottery mug in mid century American stoneware, finished in warm ochre and olive tones, with a deeply raised floral and scroll motif that wraps the body in rhythmic symmetry.
The surface decoration is not painted on. It is relief formed, which gives the mug a sculptural quality in the hand. The glaze settles into the recessed pattern in a darker tone, creating contrast without shine. Inside, a smooth off white glaze keeps the drinking surface clean and functional.
The handle is generously sized and comfortably pulled, glazed in a matte olive that complements the body without distracting from it. The mug was hand thrown, and the earth tone palette runs through ochre, olive and umber. This is not a dainty object. It was made to be held.
History & Provenance
The mug belongs to the mid century American studio pottery tradition, and the glaze palette and relief work place it in the idiom of small batch production of the 1960s and 1970s.
The base is unmarked, which is typical of studio and small batch pottery of that period, particularly pieces made for form and daily use rather than for branding. The attribution therefore rests on idiom and construction: the hand thrown body, the relief formed decoration, and the earth tone glaze.
No maker or pottery is recorded for this example, and the specific workshop remains to be confirmed.
Product Details
| Era | c. 1960s to 1970s |
| Origin | American |
| Form | Hand thrown stoneware mug with raised floral and scroll relief pattern |
| Materials | Stoneware |
| Finish | Earth tone glaze in ochre, olive and umber, with a smooth off white glazed interior |
| Maker | Unmarked base. Attribution rests on idiom and construction |
| Condition | Very good vintage condition. No cracks, chips or repairs observed. Light surface wear consistent with age and use. Glaze remains rich and evenly toned |
| Dimensions | To be confirmed |
Why It Belongs in Your Home
The mug fits a kitchen that values texture, warmth and objects with presence. Its weight and relief surface make it as much a small ceramic as a vessel.
It works on an open shelf and it works in daily rotation, and it pairs easily with handmade ceramics, wood, linen and natural light.
For a dealer the appeal is that unmarked studio work of this quality is inexpensive to buy and increasingly hard to find in undamaged condition, which makes a sound example worth keeping.
Every piece is packed with professional-grade materials: multiple foam layers, double-boxing, directional and fragile handling labels. For large furniture we use custom timber crating. We photograph packing before dispatch and can provide images on request.
White-glove delivery is complimentary within 100 miles of Reno, NV. National shipping quotes provided at checkout. All shipments are photographed and documented. Damage claims must be filed with the carrier; we provide all documentation needed to support your claim.
Local pickup is available at Viridian HQ (Reno, NV) with 2–4 days notice. Contact us to arrange. Private viewings also available.
All antique and vintage items are sold as described and all sales are final. Each listing includes detailed condition notes and photographs so you can make a fully informed decision. We encourage buyers to ask questions — about condition, dimensions, finish, provenance — before purchasing.
Antiques are irreplaceable and one-of-a-kind. Carrier handling is outside our control once a piece has left our facility, and major carriers including FedEx do not insure antiques. We do everything within our power to ensure safe transit, but cannot accept liability for carrier damage. If damage occurs in transit, we will provide full documentation to support your carrier claim.
Have a question? — we're happy to provide additional photos, condition detail, or discuss the piece directly.
