It may be Movember but have you got a moustache cup to protect your freshly-grown facial hair?
Inspired by a collection of antique moustache cups consigned to auction, the team at Hansons Auctioneers in Etwall, Derbyshire, donned fake moustaches – and held a moustache cup – to shine the spotlight on the charity cause.
Charles Hanson, 43, Hansons’ owner and regular on TV’s Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip, said: “I was keen to do something to highlight Movember because, as some people know, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2012. When the moustache cups arrived at our saleroom it provided some Movember inspiration.”
The annual Movember event encourages people to grow moustaches during November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide.
“Having battled cancer myself, I take every opportunity I can to support events like this and always encourage men to seek medical help,” said Charles.
“I thought the moustache cups would provide a fun way to shine the spotlight on a good cause as many people don’t know such a thing exists. It is, in fact a British invention. It’s generally acknowledged the moustache cup was invented by British potter Harvey Adams in the 1860s.
“The cup has a ledge or shelf, called a moustache guard. This ledge has a half moon-shaped opening to allow men to drink without a drop of tea, or whatever their preferred beverage, touching their elegant moustaches. It served as a guard to keep moustaches dry.
“The cup was invented when moustaches were all the rage. They flourished throughout the Victorian era. In fact, from 1860 to 1916, the British military required all soldiers to sport a moustache. It was thought they imparted an air of authority.
“Often, moustache wax was applied to the moustache to keep it stiff, with every hair in place. When drinking hot liquids, steam from the drink would melt the wax, which would drip into the cup. Also, sipping hot tea or coffee would also often 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 today – particularly as beards are very much back in vogue. Even I have grown one. It may be time to bring moustache cups back into full production!”
To find out more about the moustache cups collection at Hansons Auctioneers email: [email protected].
