Collecting: Handmade & Vintage Mugs
One of my favorite ways to kill a few minutes of spare time is to scour the internet for unique finds, vintage treasures, and handmade pieces. Due most in part to my years and years as a stylist sourcing props for magazine photoshoots, it seems I’m forever pinning, saving, and favoriting my discoveries.
Add to that my slightly obsessive hobby for making and collecting pottery, I thought it would be fun to find the most unique and special handmade and vintage mugs for you! I really like collecting functional pottery, and with frequent daily use, handmade mugs seem to elevate my morning lemon water, black coffee with a tiny splash of cream, and my evening herbal spice tea before bedtime.
They also happen to be one of my favorite gifts to give. They’re unexpected, and often not something people think about for themselves, but end up loving. When paired with artisan coffee beans or beautiful tin of tea, it becomes a thoughtful gesture that keeps on giving. So let’s dive in with tips on sourcing your own handmade mugs and ways you can style them.
NEW HANDMADE MUGS
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STYLING TIPS
Handmade mugs are incredible pieces to display on open kitchen shelving, display cabinets, or in your coffee station because of their unique shape and texture. They almost feel like little sculptural works of art and add instant character. Even if you opt for a set of handmade mugs rather than individuals, each one will vary slightly, making them much more visually interesting than a perfectly identical set of mass market cups. Keep in mind that not all mugs are made with stacking in mind. Straight-sided mugs often don’t stack well, so what I like to do is place small saucers between each mug and it creates a more visually organized vignette.
Another great tip is to look for risers or shelf organizers like the metal one below. It’s space-saving but also fills up more vertical space, which is something I’m always thinking about as a stylist.
TYPES OF MUGS
If you’re new to the world of handmade pottery, don’t hesitate to try out lots of different types of mugs, clay, glazes, and shapes - you’ll find a type that fits best with your personal taste! Using handmade mugs daily is a different experience than using mass produced mugs - the way it sits in your hand and the texture on your skin turns any coffee break into a more tactile, special experience.
There are lots of ways to make a mug. The most common way is to throw it on a potter’s wheel - these types of mugs have smooth and symmetrical sides, and either have a handle added to the side, or left handle-less to become a tumbler. My favorite types of tumblers are those with a thumbprint - a spot where the soft clay has been pressed inwards, making them feel secure and comfortable in the hand. Another way is to build a mug using slabs of clay, and mold it into shape; these tend to be more asymmetrical and artistic, and often feel heavier than ones made on a potter’s wheel.
VINTAGE HANDMADE MUGS
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VINTAGE MUG STYLES
When sourcing vintage mugs, it can be helpful to know common regional styles from around the world. Vintage mugs from Japan are often quite minimal in shape, but embrace the rough texture and imperfection of the clay - they are also often fired in wood kilns, which can give the surface a scorched or slightly iridescent quality. Vintage mugs from Scandinavia tend to be minimal in style as well, with a little touch of modern industrial design thrown in - think slightly funkier shapes, but still very understated (mug 12 above is an example of vintage Danish pottery). Vintage French pottery tends to be a little more rough, thick, and sturdy, and rusty orange glazes are very common. Vintage American mugs tend to be a little more 70’s hippie in style, but of course these are all generalizations; beautiful mugs can be found from anywhere in the world, and it all depends on your own personal style!
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
The biggest clue into whether a piece of pottery is handmade or not is the maker’s mark. Always look for one on the bottom. Sometimes the potter actually signs their name with a sharp tool, and other times, their logo or name is stamped into the damp clay. I just bought a vintage mug where the maker signed it Smile! Another way to judge handmade vs mass produced is the surface quality. If the entire surface is perfectly smooth and uniform, it’s most likely not handmade. Asymmetrical drips and rough patches are telltale signs of a maker’s hand.
Most of these mugs are one-of-a-kind, so if you order one, let me know in the comments! I’d love to know which one spoke to you the most.
Title Photo: Ogusky Ceramics | Privacy & Affiliate Policies
