Description: Contemporary redware sgraffito decorated glazed large mug with applied handle. The mug has a round flat base, which has straight rising sides ending in a plain rim. The sides of the tumbler are decorated with sgraffito decoration showing a bird perched on a plant and surrounded brown and green plants all over a black background reminiscent of Moravian style decoration of days gone by. The mug shows the bird in brown and white and the plants in brown, white and green motif. The mug is glazed inside and out but not on the bottom, which shows the color of unglazed redware. This is a rather large mug with a capacity of about 26 fluid ounces and measures ~4 3/8" in diameter on top and is ~6" high. This mug is decorated in the Moravian or Pennsylvania Dutch style and is really beautiful. The inside of the mug is also glazed but undecorated and has a brown color. The bottom of the mug is unglazed and shows the typical color of unglazed redware and has the artist's signature/mark. The piece has a wonderful form and size. Please carefully review photos as they are part and parcel of our description. 

Date: 2000. 

Origin: Robesonia, Pennsylvania. 

Size: The piece measures ~4 1/2" in diameter at the base, ~4 3/8" in diameter at the top, is ~6 5/8" at its widest including the handle, and is ~6" high. The piece has 26 ounces capacity and weighs 2 pounds and 2.5 ounces. 

Maker: Lester Breininger.

Marks: "Breininger Pottery; Robesonia, PA; Jan. 18, 2000; cold & cloudy" incised in the center of the base in cursive calligraphy. 

Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: This is a beautiful piece of art pottery, which would be a beautiful decorative or accent piece. The piece has a great Moravian or Pennsylvania Dutch design, made by a contemporary master potter with the Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. The nice and unusual decoration, and the beautiful shape makes this piece a very nice piece to display. This piece deserves a prominent spot in any redware or art pottery collection or as an accent piece in your home. 

Condition: The piece is in very good condition. It has no cracks, repairs, chips, or hairlines. It does have a few minor lines of crazing to the glaze. These are difficult to find and see but they are there. The piece also has a few of the usual defects you would expect with all these primitive redware pieces such as pops, small dimples, slubs, unglazed areas and uneven spots. However, these issues do not distract from the beauty or quality of the piece and are mentioned here for completeness. Other than that, the piece is great looking and would make a great addition to your collection. Please view photos for additional condition information.