Mug
1820–60
Medium
Earthenware
Dimensions
8.7 × 9.3 cm (2 3/8 × 3 5/8 in.)
Classification
drinking vessel
Department
Arts of the Americas
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
67463
Art Historical Context
This unassuming earthenware mug, crafted between 1820 and 1860, offers a glimpse into the everyday of people in the Americas during the early 19th century. just 8.7 × 9.3 cm, its compact size made it perfect for personal use—perhaps sipped from over morning coffee or evening tea in a modest household. As a drinking vessel from the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of the Americas department, it reflects the practical artistry of the era, when pottery was essential for daily routines. Earthenware, a low-fired clay body, was prized for its affordability and accessibility, often produced by local ...