{"product_id":"viking-mead-set-clay-bottle-6-shot-cups","title":"Viking Mead Set – Clay Bottle \u0026 6 Shot Cups","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMead Was Never Meant for Glass\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eLong before anyone poured honey wine into a wine glass, it came from clay — a stoppered bottle passed down a table, filling small cups that fit in the fist. This set is built for that. One teardrop-shaped clay bottle, sealed with a round stopper, and six little cups, all thrown by hand in our Ukrainian workshop and finished with fire and milk instead of glaze.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe bottle holds a litre — enough to serve a table without leaving to refill, small enough to sit in the middle of it and look like it belongs there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChoose Your Bottle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eThis set comes with your choice of two bottles, both the same shape, clay and firing:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlain\u003c\/em\u003e — a clean, dark russet body with nothing but the throwing rings the potter's fingers left behind. Quiet, old, honest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCarved\u003c\/em\u003e — the same bottle with a band of pale slip around the shoulder, cut through by hand with a flowing leaf motif. No two carved bands are spaced identically, because each is drawn freehand into wet clay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eBoth take the same round ceramic stopper, turned to sit in the neck. Pick the one that suits your table in the variant selector above.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Clay, and Why This Finish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe colour and the seal both come from a single old technique. After the first high-temperature firing, each piece is coated in milk and returned to the kiln. The milk caramelises into the porous clay, darkening it to that warm earthy brown and closing the surface — no glaze, no lead, nothing synthetic between your drink and fired earth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eFor mead this matters more than for most drinks. Honey wine carries delicate floral and fermented notes that a glazed or plastic vessel can flatten. Unglazed milk-fired clay adds no taste of its own, and its slightly breathable wall keeps a cool pour cool while you work through the bottle. The same is true for wine, cider, spirits and infusions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Shape, and What It Does\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe bottle is a teardrop — wide and round at the base, drawn up to a slim neck. That base keeps it steady on an uneven board; the narrow neck pours a controlled stream rather than a gulp, which is what you want with a stopper coming on and off through an evening. The round stopper seals it between pours and keeps the aroma in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe cups are deliberately small — 40 ml, the size of a toast. Held in the palm rather than by a handle, they warm to the hand in a minute, and each carries its own pattern of dark smoke across warm amber, left by the milk firing. No two match, and that is the point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow People Use It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eServing mead, honey wine, wine, cider, ale, spirits and homemade infusions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eMead tastings and homebrew sharing, where a small pour is the whole ritual\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eViking, medieval and fantasy feasts, banquets and tavern nights\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLARP, cosplay kit and living-history events\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eRenaissance faires and folk festivals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eTavern-style, rustic, farmhouse and cottage interiors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eA standing display piece — the bottle alone earns a shelf\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eA gift for a mead maker, homebrewer, reenactor or fantasy reader\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's in the Set\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e1 handmade clay mead bottle (plain or carved — your choice) with ceramic stopper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e6 matching clay cups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eBottle\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eHeight: 23 cm \/ 9.06 in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eNeck opening: 3.2 cm \/ 1.26 in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eWidest point: 13 cm \/ 5.12 in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eBase: 10 cm \/ 3.94 in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eCapacity: 1 L \/ 33.8 US fl oz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eWeight: 814 g \/ 1.79 lb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eEach cup\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eHeight: 5.5 cm \/ 2.16 in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eDiameter: 4.3 cm \/ 1.69 in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eCapacity: 40 ml \/ 1.35 US fl oz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eWeight: 97 g \/ 3.42 oz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eEverything is handmade, so expect a few millimetres of variation between pieces — and a different pattern on every cup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eNatural red clay, prepared locally and fired hard at high temperature — the brown is the iron in the clay, brought out by heat, not a stain or paint. The milk-fired finish is the only surface treatment, and it is food safe. Unglazed, breathable, and free of glaze, lead and industrial coatings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eHand wash only — never the dishwasher\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eRinse soon after use rather than leaving contents standing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eSoft sponge or cloth; baking soda handles anything stubborn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAvoid strong detergents, which porous clay can absorb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eNo long soaking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eDry fully before storing, and store the stopper out of the neck so both dry through\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eKeep it out of long, direct sunlight, which can dull the tone over time\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eLooked after this way, the set lasts for years and deepens in colour as it goes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAs a Gift\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eMade for the person who takes their mead seriously — the homebrewer, the mead maker, the one who shows up to gatherings with a bottle of something they fermented themselves. It works as a housewarming piece, a wedding gift for a couple with a historical or folk theme, and a gift for the reenactor or fantasy reader who wants one real object instead of five plastic ones. It has weight in the hand the moment it's lifted, which is most of what a gift needs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003ePacked carefully and sent from Ukraine. Standard delivery is around 2–3 weeks, with faster options on request. Duties are prepaid for US orders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClosing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eSet the bottle in the middle of the table, pour six, and pass them round. Some objects just hold a drink. This one gives the evening its shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAlso available: the six cups on their own as a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/medievalua.com\/products\/ceramic-shot-glasses-set-of-6-clay-cups\" title=\"set of ceramic shot glasses\"\u003eset of ceramic shot glasses\u003c\/a\u003e, and this bottle sold \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/medievalua.com\/products\/clay-wine-bottle-with-stopper\" title=\"clay wine bottle with stopper\"\u003eseparately\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"#\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e. Prefer a larger set with a handled flagon? See our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/medievalua.com\/products\/medieval-drinking-set-clay-flagon-6-cups\" title=\"medieval drinking set\"\u003emedieval drinking set\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MedievalUA","offers":[{"title":"plain","offer_id":51507372228914,"sku":null,"price":68.48,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"with ornament","offer_id":51507372261682,"sku":null,"price":74.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0677\/2486\/9938\/files\/mead-set-plain-bottle-and-cups.jpg?v=1784966642","url":"https:\/\/medievalua.com\/products\/viking-mead-set-clay-bottle-6-shot-cups","provider":"MedievalUA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}