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Unidentified Soldier In Union Uniform And Fez With Bayoneted Musket In Front Of Painted Backdrop Showing American Flag (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

Unidentified Soldier In Union Uniform And Fez With Bayoneted Musket In Front Of Painted Backdrop Showing American Flag (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

100 in stock

Regular price $17.99 USD
Regular price Sale price $17.99 USD
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Unidentified Soldier In Union Uniform And Fez With Bayoneted Musket In Front Of Painted Backdrop Showing American Flag (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

This design is a 19th-century studio portrait of a Union soldier who posed with a bayoneted musket before a painted American flag, a photograph taken between 1861 and 1865.

Visual Elements & Composition

The soldier stands at the centre of the frame, dressed in a Union uniform and wearing a fez with its tassel, while the rifle and bayonet rise beside him as a strong vertical. Behind him the painted flag fills the backdrop, its stripes running across the scene and giving the portrait its striped structure. The palette is warm and aged: sepia tan dominates, lifted by antique gold in the gilt-framed case and set off by dark maroon, faded red and a touch of dusty blue. The scalloped oval portrait sits within a rectangular case, so the photograph reads like a keepsake framed for display.

Meaning & Symbolism

Military portraits of this era were sent home to families, linking enlisted men with the people who waited for them, and this one carries that purpose in every detail. The bayoneted musket signals readiness and martial valour, while the flag behind the soldier declares his allegiance to the Union cause. The fez is the most telling choice. It points to the Zouave style, inspired by French North African troops, and shows how individual soldiers shaped their appearance within a national uniform. The soldier's name was lost to history, but the portrait keeps his service and his sense of self in view.

Made for the Coffee Table Moment

A mug is turned slowly in the hand, so the portrait wraps around the cup and reveals itself one side at a time. The soldier, the rifle and the flag arrive in sequence as you rotate it, much like the way a family would have turned over a carte de visite to study the figure within. Keep it close for your morning brew and let the old soldier keep watch over the kitchen counter.

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.