Cups & Mugs

Materials Used

• Clay body: earthenware, sourced and processed entirely in Nepal
• Glazes: food-safe mineral glazes in cobalt blue, teal green, random blue, and matte white — each colour batch may vary slightly between firings
• Cup sizes: small chai cups (approx. 150 ml) through to generous mugs (approx. 300 ml)
• Saucer pairings available — see Dharkey Cup Saucer (624051) and Round Dot Cup with Saucer (624052)
• All glazes are lead-free and safe for hot liquids

Artisan Story

Our ceramics team in Lalitpur has a strong tradition of producing functional tableware for both local and international markets. The cup forms in this collection draw directly from Nepali chai culture — the small, handleless bowls used in tea houses across the Himalayas, adapted into shapes that work equally well in a contemporary kitchen. Each mug is thrown, trimmed, glazed by hand, and marked with a production code before leaving the workshop. Many of our potters have worked with Sana Hastakala for over fifteen years, and their accumulated skill shows in the consistent quality of every fired piece.

Fair Trade Impact

• Producers receive transparent, pre-agreed pricing — Sana Hastakala never renegotiates downward after an order is placed
• Audited annually by the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) against 10 Fair Trade Principles covering wages, working conditions, and gender equity
• Your purchase directly supports 100+ in-house artisans and over 1,200 affiliated craft producers across Nepal
• Sana Hastakala maintains detailed records of every artisan's hours, wages, and working conditions — available for inspection

Care Instructions

• Hand wash preferred to preserve glaze depth and colour intensity over time
• Dishwasher-safe on the top rack (gentle cycle) for plain-glazed stoneware — hand wash for earthenware pieces
• Do not use in the microwave if unsure of glaze composition — contact us with your SKU for confirmation
• Avoid soaking in water for extended periods to prevent surface crazing (fine, harmless cracks in the glaze)
• Tea or coffee stains: remove with a paste of baking soda and warm water, rinse thoroughly