Thread: Grandfather's Shaving Mug

well its nice to see an heirllom in good shape my great grandmother bless her shes 93 yrs old and she found her dads mug and razor and she gave them to me, she told me her dad would be proud to see them in good hands, im sure your grandfather would feel the same way

Originally Posted by Otto

I use it every morning, except when I'm traveling.




My Granddad got it for his confirmation about 1910 or so. He used it for shaving all his life. I still remember him using it when I was a young boy. When he died in the 1970ies, I inherited it from him. It is made in Norway by Porsgrund porselen.

Now that's something else! Is it spalted beech? Whatever it is it's amazing it's still in one piece after 100 years of service, that must bring a real warm feeling every time you use it. Good stuff, thanks for sharing!

Originally Posted by karlej

The mug pictured was my great gandfather's. It was given to him by his son-in-law, my grandfather. My grandfather was a barber in Caribou, Maine in the early 1900's. The mug is a real treasure to me. I have used it but don't anymore. I'm afraid I might break it. Enjoy yours
The other photo is some of my collection.
Attachment 84297Attachment 84298

I really like the witch hazel bottle on top. I stumbled across one the other day but it was too rich for my blood. Do you know who made them or anything about them? I have plans to find them and ad them to my collection. Screw the plastic Thayer's bottle .

Great to see everyone's herlooms. Great thread!

Originally Posted by Sasquatch

Now that's something else! Is it spalted beech? Whatever it is it's amazing it's still in one piece after 100 years of service, that must bring a real warm feeling every time you use it. Good stuff, thanks for sharing!

Are you thinking about the brush? It's a special ebony and only a few years old. It's custom made for me.
It is the shaving mug that's 100 years old. and yes I think about my Granddad every morning when I use it.

Thats macassar ebony,great stuff.

Originally Posted by Otto

Are you thinking about the brush? It's a special ebony and only a few years old. It's custom made for me.
It is the shaving mug that's 100 years old. and yes I think about my Granddad every morning when I use it.

Ha ha, ya I wasn't very clear was I! Meant to say whatever the brush is made of it's amazing the mug has done a century...as for the brush it looks just like some splated beech I used for scales once, I've never seen ebony like it. I'll have to remember macassar ebony for future referance. Very nice combo indeed.

Pixelfixed: Thanks, I was looking for the wood-name and couldn't find it.

Bharner

The type of glass is called clam broth and American made. It's a heavy thick glass. They became popular about 1920. There are numerous manufacturers for the barber trade. I see them at various auction sites. There are some deals out there. Just keep your eyes open. Most the cork in the spout (called a bottle tube) will need to be repalced if you wish to use it. In fact most have the bottle tube missing it seems.
Also many had the contents written on the bottle , Witch Hazel, Water, Bay Rum, ect. There is an earlier white glass bottle called milk glass. They tend to be more expensive with fancy painting. Some reading material if you are interested " The Shaving Mug & Barber Bottle Book " author Keith E. Estep
Best to do some research before you buy. A lot of the barber bottles on E-Bay are not barber bottles. They are purfume bottles and who know what else. Kind of like the moustashe cups you see advertised as old shaving mugs. Buyer be ware.
Hope this helps,
Karl

Thanks, I'll check that out. The one I saw definitely wasn't milk glass. It was labeled Witch Hazel and looked identical to yours (minus the cork). I really like the look of them so I'm glad for some reading/research on them.