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Middle East - States in Turmoil (1991) (Map) Black Coffee Mug

Middle East - States in Turmoil (1991) (Map) Black Coffee Mug

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Regular price $17.99 USD
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Middle East - States in Turmoil (1991) - Black Mug Design

This design is a map of the Middle East, set in 1991 and titled for the states caught in turmoil that year.

Visual Elements & Composition

The map is the whole composition. Its subject is the region's political geography, with national borders and the states within them carrying the image. Nothing competes with the map: there are no figures, no decorative border, and no added narrative scene. The title and year sit with the map as its only text, so the viewer reads it as a document first and a picture second.

Meaning & Symbolism

The year 1991 places the map at the close of the Gulf War, when the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait the year before had redrawn the region's security and its alliances. The aftermath brought uprisings and displacement inside Iraq and a reshaping of the balance of power across the Gulf. The title frames those borders as unsettled, the states on the page not yet fixed. It is a record of a moment when the map itself was contested, and it asks the viewer to consider how quickly a national boundary can stop feeling permanent.

Made for the Hands, Read in Pieces

A mug is turned in the hand, so this map is read in sections rather than all at once. Each quarter turn of the cup brings a different part of the region into view, and the borders run around the curve the way they would on a globe. It is a good companion for the first coffee of a history-minded morning, when the cup is held close and the page is close enough to study.

Size

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Glossy black ceramic mugs in two practical sizes — 11 oz (≈330 ml) and 15 oz (≈440 ml). Comfortable C-handle, microwave- and dishwasher-safe, and manufactured to be lead- and BPA-free. Note: printed blacks may read slightly different from the mug’s base color.

These mugs are made from solid ceramic with a glossy glaze that gives a deep, even surface for printing. Sublimation printing embeds ink into the glaze so artwork sits smoothly on the mug rather than simply sitting on top — that means better resistance to fading and scratching during normal use.

They’re available in the classic 11-ounce size for everyday black coffee and tea, and a larger 15-ounce cup if you like extra room for milk, foam or a long pour. The C-shaped handle is wide enough for a secure grip and balances the mug well when full.

  • Material: 100% ceramic with a high-gloss finish for punchy, saturated results.
  • Sizes: 11 oz (≈330 ml) and 15 oz (≈440 ml) — choose your routine size.
  • Printing: sublimation process fuses color into the glaze for durable imagery.
  • Safety: lead- and BPA-free; meets common food-contact safety standards.
  • Design note: very dark artwork and the mug’s black base can produce subtle shade differences — add a thin lighter outline to ensure contrast if needed.

These mugs are at home in the kitchen, on the office desk, or tucked into a morning routine. They work for espresso shots, pour-overs, oat-milk lattes — you name it. The larger size is handy when you want a second cup’s worth without a refill.

  1. Daily use: fill with your preferred brew and sip — the mug handles hot liquids safely.
  2. Office-friendly: fits most standard mug warmers and sits securely on communal trays and kitchen counters.
  3. Gifting: packs well (wrap with a soft layer) and pairs nicely with coffee beans, tea tins, or a small box of biscuits.

Practical tip: for very dark designs, try a thin light border or a small margin so the artwork reads cleanly against the black ceramic.

These mugs are both microwave- and dishwasher-safe, but gentle habits extend the life of the print. We recommend dishwasher use on the top rack and milder cycles when possible.

Hand-washing is the friendliest option: warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft sponge. Avoid steel wool, harsh scouring pads, or blasting with extremely hot industrial cycles. And a quick reminder — don’t microwave an empty mug.

Two sizes: 11 oz (approx. 330 ml) and 15 oz (approx. 440 ml). The smaller cup is the familiar, everyday size; the larger one is for fuller pours and extra-creamy drinks.

Each mug’s mouth and height are proportioned so they’re easy to drink from and easy to clean. If you’re pairing with saucers or nesting in cabinets, expect the 15 oz to be slightly wider and taller than the 11 oz.

Size guide

All measurements are product dimensions in inches.

11 oz 15 oz
Height (in) 3.86 4.72
Diameter (in) 3.35 3.35
Diameter with handle (in) 4.72 5.12

Note: dimensions are nominal — small production tolerances may apply. If you need precise fitment (e.g., for nested storage or custom packaging), please allow a small margin.