Beards have been back in vogue for years so why not take a leaf out of the Victorians’ book and buy a moustache cup to protect it?
Around 150 antique moustache cups are coming up for sale at Hansons Auctioneers on Friday, February 18 offering stylish gents the ultimate drinking accessory to protect their facial hair.
The moustache cup is generally acknowledged to be the brainchild of British potter Harvey Adams in the 1860s. It has a ledge or shelf, called a moustache guard. This ledge has a half moon-shaped opening to allow men to drink without their beverage touching their moustaches.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers and a beard groomed in lockdown, said: “Beards have made a big comeback in recent years but they were all the rage in Victorian times, too, hence this invention. In fact, from 1860 to 1916 the British military required all soldiers to have a moustache as they were thought to impart an air of authority.
“They were liked by Victorian men because moustache wax was often applied to keep every hair in place. When drinking hot liquids, steam from the drink melted the wax, which could then drip into the cup. Also, sipping hot tea or coffee could stain moustaches – hence the moustache cup.
“The invention spread across Europe and soon every famous pottery was making them including Meissen, Royal Crown Derby, Imari, Royal Bayreuth, Limoges and others. The trend even crossed the Atlantic to America.
“In the 1920s and 30s moustaches began to go out of fashion and moustache cups faded away. However, the cups, seen as examples of Victorian male elegance, are coveted collectables. Bearing in mind the popularity of beards today, it may be time to bring moustache cups back into full production!”
The moustache cups, many grouped together in multiple lots, start with prices ranging from £30 to £120 in Hansons’ February Antiques and Collectors Auction. They include lot 1052, a late 19th Century German moustache cup, incised F to the base for Frau Reuth Saxony, circa 1890, £30-£40.
At the higher end of the scale is lot 1009, above, a collection of five mainly early 20th Century china moustache cup and saucers with Late Foley Shelley pattern numbers 7447 and 8752, an Art Deco Sutherland China pattern number 1185 and a late Victorian The Foley China Trafalgar Square and Houses of Parliament example, £100-£120.
The moustache cups will be offered on Friday February 18 in Hansons Auctioneers’ February 17-22 Antiques and Collectables Auction. Catalogue www.hansonslive.co.uk.
