Post #482528 by coruscate on Thu, Sep 10, 2009 6:22 AM

I thought I'd chime in again.

There are so many variables to clays, glazes and manufacturing processes used by a single person, that generalizing for a company or country will often do you wrong.

There are finer quality clays and clazes. Silica is a major component of the bodies of both. All the other minerals mixed in with the silica are sometimes lumped together as "impurities", but this mixing of other minerals is what allows for the durability, colors, melting temperature, etc. to be the parameters of the art and science of ceramics.

Ancient or vintage Chinese porcelain fired at high temperatures with celadon and cobalt glazes are not only artistic feats, but also testaments to the range of ceramics coming out of the same factory as well as the trading networks needed for the raw materials. Refining any material from raw resource extraction to final product is driven by demand, artistry and function. All the materials used for ceramics are stuff that is dug up and sorted and then recombined and used. Lots of labor and travel are involved as the materials migrate from their naturally occurring sources. From one factory may come burnished terracotta with salt glaze and bone china with copper glazes reduced to blushing reds.

Calling low fired pottery as "cheap mugs" only refers to the reduced cost in fuel and time, however they can be far from cheap exhibiting painfully researched glaze testing, sculptural artistry, masterful mold crafting and the pedigree of lineage (aka provenance).

Bars that are giving away barware generally want them to be inexpensive enough to roll into the price of the drink and still turn a profit and not so exclusive or expensive that they get stolen instead. Their needs for them to be around and last like other barware or kitchenware often don't come close the duty cyle of a glass beer pint.

A mug will definitely last longer if the wall is thick, if it is mold casted in all surfaces rather than slip and pour cast, if it is fired higher (fyi they sound different and tend to ring more when struck), if the clay body is quality, if the glazes fit well and finally if they are cared for.

Take those Libby mugs sold at Cost Plus imports and resataurant supply companies. They have simple glazes with understated patterns and are fired consistently with high quality materials. Those are fired much higher and the glazes fit really well compared the Orchids of Hawaii mugs. They'll take lots of wear and tear in industrial dishwashers and will likely outlast most mug companies, however they also are not collected and cared for with the same enthusiasm as a Steve Crane mug so may become rare and loaded with nostalgia because of their ubiquitous presence in many bars.

Regarding keeping them dry: It really depends on the mug. I think a mug should get wet and wear out because it is an active part of living the Tiki dream. Most of the liquids will do nothing as expected, but some glazes/mugs are so low fired and porous that they can stain and even mildew (I had a headhunter mug do that once through the crazing). So, drying them off and taking care of them is definitely a good idea, but not one to be obsessive about. If you have some very valuable mugs, you will have to decide whether you value having them woven into your bar's experiential fabric or if they should be protected and displayed in a case that has a more controlled environment that reduces the swings in temperature and humidity or exposure to direct sunlight.

If you're pretty sure the mug you love is a porous one that is fairly clean & dry, you might consider grout sealer for the unglazed under surfaces that are not exposed to mouth and food.

If you are intent on conserving or preserving rare and collectible mugs, then using glues and sealants can be unwelcome by other collectors who may purchase your collection.

So another dump of clay lore, hope you have fun with your mugs!

Coruscate