Scuttle and mug find

Attachment 180651Attachment 180652Attachment 180653Attachment 180654These were found in a china cabinet that was my wifes great grandfathers. I have looked around the internet to see if I can find any info on them but no luck so far. The only imprint is "7355" on the bottom of the scuttle and nothing on the other mug. To be honest and forgive my ignorance, I am not even sure what the purpose is of the piece that goes across the other mug or how to use it. The scuttle I know how to use just fine the other one has me confused. Anyone out there recognize these or can tell me where I may find out more info on them. Since they are family items I never plan to get rid of them but would love to know more about them since I will display them in a case along with some other antique razors that belonged to my family. Thanks in advance for anyone who can help me identify or find out more about these. Have a great week gentlemen!

Chris

Nice finds! The plate across the cup is to protect a waxed mustache from going limp and keep the hairs out of the beverage. The scuttle is great and can be used with any soap but I find a little bit of softer soap smeared on the inside or some cream ditto will make your shaving day when whipped to perfection. They were used to keep hot water from the stove to keep the soap and brush hot for the shave. The water in a shave stand pitcher and bowl would cool and be used for the washing and rinsing ablutions.
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Enjoy your finds!
~Richard
PS. The shave stand (generic image) is a relatively recent re-make of the classic shave stand.

With my limited knowledge I would say the cup was for his tea or coffee as he shaved, looks like a mustache cup designed to keep his mustache dry. The piece that goes across the cup, in which you made your lather, looks like a brush rest and an edge to scrape excess lather off the brush back into the bowl. The scuttle, a charming one of it's era, is a standard scuttle of it's time.