Thread: Vintage Mug found

What you've bought is called, amongst shaving mug collectors, a "decorative" mug. Without the slight floral work around the name, the mug would be considered a "gold name" shaving mug.

This shaving mug is an entry level mug, but is still collectible. Shaving mugs such as this often sell for more, usually in the $10-30 range. You've made a good buy at $2.00! Of course the slight crack in the handle reduces the value some - but not a big deal. There are even more elaborate decoratives that demand even more in price from collectors.

Often the name of the decorator and/ or the barber supply company will be found on the base of the mug. But just as often there will be nothing but a mark indicating the origin of the porcelain mug blank.

Even though you spent only $2.00 on this shaving mug remember, it is an antique. And even though shaving mugs similar to this one are fairly numerous, this particular shaving mug represents an individual who's name is painted on the mug. In that respect it is unique and irreplaceable. So, if you decide to use this mug for yourself, definitely be careful.

As far as date, your mug could have been decorated any time, roughly, between the late 1890's and possibly 1920. By about 1930, the art of decorated shaving mugs for barber shops was over.

Oh, BTW - antique barbershop shaving mugs are very interesting, and often beautiful, and also somewhat elusive - the better specimens demanding very high prices. Just a warning in case you get bitten. I, like you, started off with just one simple mug. Then..... !!!

Could be another AD!

And... the D&C mark on the bottom is a Limoges France mark - "Deliniers & Co." Most, if not all, of the blanks used for barber mugs came from the big porcelain producers out of France and Germany. And many of the china decorators were trained in Europe as well.