Art Nouveau is an international movement and style of art, architecture and applied art — especially the decorative arts — that peaked in popularity at the turn of the 20th century (1890–1905). The name 'Art nouveau' is French for 'new art. A reaction to academic art of the 19th century, it is chraacterised by organic, especially floral and other plant-inspired motifs, as well as highly-stylised, flowing curvilinear forms. Art Nouveau is an approach to design according to which artists should work on everything from architecture to furniture, making art part of everyday life.

Two small bands of this swirl design were put on top of each other to form the double band and fill up more of the space on the mug. The blue in the design I believe may represent flowers and the gold swirls are probably supposed to be leaves.