Straight from the Victorian era, moustache cups are a very unique collectible.
They make a fun gift for men with facial hair, too!
What is a ‘moustache cup’?
This is a vintage ad for a personalized detachable moustache guard—believe it or not, the highest price for one of these was just $1.00.
First invented by British potter Harvey Adams in the 1860s, moustache cups in their basic sense are a piece of dishware designed to protect one’s moustache when drinking either tea, coffee, or any other beverage.
Specially made for men with moustaches, accommodations range from cups designed with built-in moustache guards to the travel-friendly detachable model. Moustache cups have a semicircular ledge inside; its half-moon shape serving as a protector against liquids that could ruin a well-groomed (and often-waxed) moustache.
Up until their decline from fashion between 1920-1930, cups like these were available in most homes and fancy restaurants as a courtesy to their guests.
It’s easy to see why moustache cups were needed, when one looks at the variety of popular Victorian Era moustache styles.
There’s many more unique items where these come from!
At Past & Present, we are constantly rotating high quality displays of the wonderful collections we have available for sale. In addition to moustache cups, you will find unique items for girl’s night (the Diva Den is a great place to look) or décor for a guy’s man cave (yes, see our Man Cave).
Visit us, and have fun browsing 15,000 square feet of retail displays to discover antiques, collectibles, repurposed and new furnishings, and one-of-a-kind creations by local craftsmen. There’s plenty to find when you stop by to visit Past and Present Home Gallery—the store with character!