Mugs. A mug is a type of cup typically used for drinking hot drinks, such as coffee, hot chocolate, soup, or tea. Mugs usually have handles and hold a larger amount of fluid than other types of cup.
The first pottery was shaped by hand and was later facilitated by the invention of the potter’s wheel (date unknown, between 6,500 and 3000 BCE). It was relatively easy to add a handle to a cup in the process thus producing a mug. For example, a rather advanced, decorated clay mug from 4000–5000 BCE was found in Greece. Reference: Wikipedia
Below are some examples of mugs decorated with astrological or mythical scenes including an ancient Etruscan mug decorated with a sphinx.
Information and price guide to astrological jewelry and jewelry with supernatural and mythical themes including ancient Egyptian rings
A rare Meissen mug, circa 1740-45 From the series of ‘Planet’ mugs, possibly painted by Johann Georg Heintze, with the figure of Mercury amidst clouds, the astrological caduceus symbol in iron-red to the top right, within an elaborate gilt scrollwork cartouche, flanked by two vignettes depicting a dwarf dressed as a peasant in the manner of Callot, 7.6cm high, crossed swords mark in blue, gilt mark N.02., impressed numeral 24 (handle replaced)
Sold for £ 1,785 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2019
A STAFFORDSHIRE CREAMWARE SATYR-MASK MUG CIRCA 1770
Sold for USD 750 at Christie’s in 2018
ENGLISH (LONDON) STERLING SILVER CUP, 1874, H 3 1/2″:Ornate sterling cup is decorated with the signs of the zodiac along with leaf motifs a other, more geometric, patterns. It is engraved “ACB Aug: 17th 1875.” which is enclosed within a cross form at the top. The underside is stamped with a lion passant, an uncrowned leopard’s head, a rubbed maker’s mark, date letter “t” and the queen’s profile. Weighs approximately 4.72 trz.
Sold for $275 at DuMouchelles in 2012
One-handled mug Italic, Etruscan Archaic Period about 520 B.C.
Left to right: prancing sphinx, pawing lion, prancing sphinx. Red, white, brown (lines) and black on buff. Vines, filling ornaments and a pattern of ivy leaves below.
Reference: Museum of Fine Arts Boston
A RARE MEISSEN HAUSMALER SMALL ‘MONTH’ MUG CIRCA 1740 painted in the workshop of Franz Ferdinand Meyer of Pressnitz, with a scene of a Sower in a field beneath the title September in iron-red script, within a gilt foliate scrollwork cartouche, flanked on each side by a dwarf sitting on a stool, the exterior rim edge with a gilt diaper border, traces of crossed swords mark in underglaze-blue, impressed numeral 24. Height: 3⅛ in. 7.9 cm
Sold for 375 USD at Sotheby’s in 2019
Printer’s Devil Mythical Creature Shaving Mug
Unique representation. Gilt name “J.C. Lesher”. Lesher was a master painter from Carbon County PA, that operated in the early 1900’s. Shows a caricature (or “devil”) of the person who is setting the type along with a rat running across the floor. This scene is depicting the mythical figure that supposedly haunted print shops in the wee hours of the morning. This is a very decorative mug and highly ornate with lots of gold decoration and full blue wrap. No mark on bottom.
Sold for $700 at Dan Morphy Auctions in 2011
