Mochaware: From Pottery to Print
There’s something wonderfully charming about mochaware. Made throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, this distinctive pottery was inexpensive, practical and utilitarian, and was often found in pubs and taverns. Many mochaware tankards even carry a stamped one-pint measure mark and are a charming reminder of their everyday working life.
Yet, despite its humble origins, mochaware has a decorative quality that has made it highly collectable today. Its simple coloured bands, intricate dendritic branches and often unexpected combinations of colour give it an enduring appeal. The designs are unfussy but full of character, and somehow feel just as at home in a modern interior as they did on a tavern shelf two centuries ago. It was this decorative potential that inspired our latest fabric collection.
During conversations with fellow mochaware enthusiast and friend of Tinsmiths, Marion Elliot, we hatched a plan to create one or two printed fabric designs inspired by this wonderful pottery. We wanted to capture the beauty of a collection of mochaware, while retaining the simple, useful spirit of the original pieces.
Mochaware
We were absolutely delighted with the designs Marion created for us. ‘Mochaware’ is available in three different colourways and creates the impression of a wonderfully eclectic shelf filled with a dream collection of mochaware pieces. Marion brought together some of the most decorative and delightful examples we could imagine, creating a pattern that rewards closer inspection; there’s always another piece to spot!
We deliberately chose a relatively large pattern repeat, so that the design doesn’t feel overly repetitive when used across a larger area. The result is a fabric that has plenty of decorative impact without becoming twee or fussy; much like the pottery that inspired it.
It would be particularly lovely in kitchens, utility rooms and laundry rooms, where its practical origins feel especially appropriate. Equally, it could bring a little character to curtains, blinds, cushions or other soft furnishings.
Mochaware Stripe
Our second design takes a slightly different approach. Rather than depicting the pottery itself, ‘Mochaware Stripe’ takes inspiration from the decorative bands found on the original pieces and transforms them into an energetic horizontal stripe.
For now, Mochaware Stripe comes in a single colourway of pale blue and sand, a combination frequently found on original mochaware. It has a wonderfully fresh, relaxed quality; reminiscent of faded paintwork, seaside interiors and sunny days. We think it would be particularly at home in a bright kitchen or a coastal property, where the simple horizontal bands can add colour and rhythm without overwhelming the room.
A little bit of history, reimagined
What we love about these designs is that they aren’t simply reproductions of antique pottery. Instead, they take the elements that make mochaware so appealing; the bands, branching, colours and wonderfully varied shapes, and reinterpret them for the home today.
There is something particularly satisfying about giving a new life to the decorative language of an object that was originally made for such everyday purposes. From the tavern table to the modern kitchen, mochaware has travelled a long way — and we hope these fabrics capture some of its enduring charm.
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