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West Indies (1954) (Map) Black Coffee Mug

West Indies (1954) (Map) Black Coffee Mug

100 in stock

Regular price $17.99 USD
Regular price Sale price $17.99 USD
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West Indies (1954) - Black Mug Design

This design is a map of the West Indies, the Caribbean islands scattered across open sea as they were charted in 1954.

Visual Elements & Composition

The islands are the subject. They spread across the print in a loose arc, with the larger landmasses anchoring the eye and the smaller islands trailing outward in chains. The map is a flat, graphic chart rather than a pictorial scene, so each island reads first as a shape and only then as a place. The surrounding sea is left open, which gives the layout room to breathe and keeps attention on the outlines of the land.

Meaning & Symbolism

The year in the title fixes the work in the mid-1950s, and its mood is nostalgic. It presents the Caribbean as the era imagined it: tropical, remote and a little romantic. The West Indies is a subregion of the Americas made up of many separate islands joined by one sea, and the map gives that idea its visual form. It is a record of how a generation looked at these islands, a snapshot of vintage travel and geography rendered as a design.

Reading It Turn by Turn

A map on a mug is read in pieces. Hold the cup and rotate it slowly, and the islands pass one at a time, much as they would appear to a traveller watching the coastline from a moving ship. The design rewards that small, deliberate motion. Set against the black body, the pale outlines stand out clearly, so the islands feel like they are arriving rather than simply sitting there. It is a quiet way to start the morning: the coffee in your hands, and the Caribbean passing by the rim.

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.