Masons "Basket Japan" pattern is a wonderful rambling vine pattern which, starting with the basket at the base, seems to wander all over each side of the mug.  The process of creating this decoration is fascinating. Given the challenges of firing various colors, the areas of light and dark blue were fired first, then knitted together by hand enameling of blossoms and leaves as well as the woven detail of the basket.  Large shots of red bring the flowers to life.  The ring of flowers inside the rim of the mug also runs vertically down the side opposite the handle.

The handle is a serpent form with ochre head and green back. The interior of the handle, the snake's underbelly, is finished in contrasting red enamel.

While the dimensions may not sound impressive, the combination of height and diameter on this cylinder shape mug creates an impressive presence.  With that in mind, we have included the shot with a soda can hoping to give you some notion of the actual stature of the mug.

Mason's mugs are found in a variety of sizes including at least one even larger than this example. This particular mug will hold around a quart of liquid.  It actually appears to have been used to serve porter, a type of beer and is frequently called a "porter mug."

A note on the red enamel. The red enamel inside the curve of the handle shows some flaking, perhaps from wear to this vulnerable spot. The condition image, however, shot from a non-typical angle, makes the losses appear more prominent than when the mug is viewed in its normal display position.