The moustache cup is a drinking cup with a semicircular ledge inside. The ledge has a half moon-shaped opening to allow the passage of liquids and serves as a guard to keep moustaches dry. It is generally acknowledged to have been invented in the 1860s by British potter Harvey Adams (born 1835). Moustaches flourished throughout the Victorian era. Men often applied great gobs of melted wax to the moustache to keep it nice and stiff, with every hair in place.Between 1920 and 1930, moustaches progressively began to go out of fashion and hence moustache cup production gradually dwindled. This cup is an example of a common domestic item of its time. The Nixon families were among the earliest settlers on the Snowy River.A drinking cup with a semi-circular ledge inside - a moustache cup. It is white with a mauve stencilled border design and pink roses in the centre.Bottom - 34 472/5moustache-cup china domestic-items crockery

Moustache cup owned and used by Osborne (Ozz) Daniel John Hawkins Abbott of Albury, N.S.W.White china moustache cup (no saucer)Floral and gilt transfer decoration. Manufacturer's stamp on basetea cup

White china moustache cup with hand-painted floral decoration. Gild-painted line on rim, around insert and base of cup.moustache cup

Between 1920 and 1930, moustaches progressively began to go out of fashion and hence moustache cup production gradually dwindled. This cup is an example of a common domestic item of its time.An ornate designed cup. Lower half is pink, edged all over in gold. Top is white. The moustache bridge is white. The saucer is plain white. The moustache cup is a drinking cup with a semicircular ledge inside. The ledge has a half moon-shaped opening to allow the passage of liquids and serves as a guard to keep moustaches dry. Saucer - Fine bone china, Shelley, Englandmoustache-cup domestic-items-crockery shelley

Late 19th centuryPainted floral china moustache cup and saucer with handle and gold edging.P9129 in ink on base of cup and saucercup, saucer and plate sets, cups and saucers, drinking cups

Displayed in History House. The moustache cup (or mustache cup) is a drinking cup with a semicircular ledge inside. The ledge, called a moustache guard, has a half moon-shaped opening to allow the passage of liquids and serves as a guard to keep moustaches dry. It is generally acknowledged to have been invented in the 1870s by British potter Harvey AdamsLarge scallop-edged tea-cup with gold patterning and pink designs on outside. Gold line around lip and handle. Section of china to protect moustache on inner edge.tea cup, functional object, moustache protector

This moustache cup holds high historical, cultural, and familial significance as a rare surviving example of personal tableware associated with Heinrich Emil Julius (‘Jules’), born 1871, a sociable and well-known travelling salesman for the Schneider china company. More than a decorative piece, the cup reflects Jules’ profession, identity, and daily life as he travelled regional routes by buggy, promoting and selling fine porcelain to households and retailers. The moustache cup also embodies the close-knit relationships within the extended Ziebell family. Jules visited his first cousin Charles Ziebell and Charles’ wife Annie weekly at their Chapel Street smallgoods shop, where he would share lunch and bring items of quality tableware sourced through his work. Much of the couple’s china collection, including this moustache cup, entered the family through Jules, marking it as an object of familial exchange, generosity, and affection. Manufactured by Porzellanfiguren Gräfenthal, with origins in the renowned German firm Unger, Schneider & Co. (established 1859), the cup is also a fine representation of nineteenth-century German porcelain craftsmanship. The continuity of production methods and marks well into the twentieth century further enhances its material interest. Together, its documented provenance, association with prominent Ziebell family members, connection to German porcelain history, and representation of social customs such as moustache-wearing and specialised drinking vessels make this moustache cup a meaningful and culturally valuable item within the Ziebell family collection and the broader narrative of German migration and domestic life in Victoria. Unger, Schneider & Co.

Moustache Cup with floral design and square shaped handlestawell

Moustache was normal for 1800s as a large portion of the male population had a moustache.Coloured photograph of Moustache Cups owned by Pearce Family.|For view of cups see Np2630.pearce, ronald, harry, mary, edward, moustache cups

Moustache was normal for 1800s as a large portion of the male population had a moustache.Coloured photograph of details of two china moustache cups, (Internal view see Np2629) used by Pearce family.pearce, ronald, harry, mary, edward

Octagonal shaped cup and saucer. A gentleman's cup with moustache protection. White background with gold decoration.domestic items, crockery

Ernest Leviny (1818-1905) was born in Georgenberg (Szepes-Szombat) Hungary. He went to Budapest as a youth to become an apprenticed silversmith, then travelled as a 'journeyman' across Europe living and working in Vienna and Paris between 1843-1846. He then set up business in London for six years before embarking on journey to the Australian goldfields arriving in 1853. With a lack of success mining for gold, Leviny established business as a jeweller and watchmaker in Castlemaine and between 1854 and 1862 found time to create major decorative works in gold and silver for which he is best remembered. After retiring from business in 1863 he purchased the house, Delhi Villa, married Bertha Hudson (English-born Tasmanian) in December 1864 and together they had ten children, later renaming the family home Buda (after Budapest). He died in 1905 purported to be the wealthiest gentleman in Castlemaine at that time. Two works made by Leviny are held in the collection at the National Gallery of Victoria: the Silver Standing Cup with Cover c1859 (or Saint Cup), and a Gold Bracelet with inset garnet and diamonds c1860.Albumen, sepia toned 'carte-de-visite' photograph of Ernest Leviny in 1866. Black and white, full length, studio portrait of a gentleman wearing a dark jacket with light coloured pants,with a moustache and mutton chop side burns, standing with his right hand on the back of a chair.Verso, photographer's details printed in the centre "Batchelder & O'Neill, 41 Collins Street, East. Melbourne" Handwritten in pencil: "Ernest Leviny 1866"ernest leviny, silversmith, castlemaine, buda historic home, 1866, portrait, photograph, batchelder & o'neill