Mocha Decoration

摘要

The term 'mocha' is derived from the similarity to the plant-like patterning that is found in a moss agate, a geological formation known as 'mocha stone'. These are a naturally occurring form of quartz in which metal oxides, such as chromium, manganese and iron, have intruded to create branching forms resembling ferns, mosses and trees. They are semi-precious gemstones that, along with a well-known type of coffee, were exported from a port in the Yemen called al Mukha; the name being anglicised to Mocha. Mocha slip-decorated earthenware can be traced back to the end of the eighteenth century and continued until the onset of the Second World War in 1939. The two usual forms of this decoration are the 'seaweed' (image 1) and the 'tree' (image 2) although some very complicated decorations also evolved by combining marbling with mocha patterns. Historically the main types of mocha-decorated pottery were bowls, dishes jugs, mugs and tankards.