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Decorative Arts
American Civil War ➔ Shaving Mug, Pink With Flowers, Geo. Rost

Identifier:
2009.24.102
Description:
Shaving mug contains a scene of flowers painted around the name, "Geo. Rost." The mug is pink around the outside of the cup. The upper and lower rims of the cup were painted gold.;Shaving mugs represent the social change that took place after the American Civil War. Men in the Victorian Era would gather at their local barber shops, not only to get a haircut and a shave, but as a social event to fraternize with other local men.;"Geo. Rost";This object was part of the private collection gathered by local businessman and former Public Museum Board Member Steele Taylor. Mr. Taylor loves to travel and has collected objects from all over the world.;Shaving mugs with the names of individuals became popular during and after the civil war. Shaving mugs were generally kept at the person's local barber shop and developed for hygienic purposes. Customers would use their personalized mugs every time they went to the barber shop. This mug, more than likely, belonged to a man named, "Geo. (George?) Rost."
Date:
circa 1900
Materials:
Painted, Porcelain, Ceramic
Dimensions:
3.5" h 4" w 3.25" d
Current Location Status:
In Storage
Source:
Gift Of Taylor, Steele A.
Related Entity:
Steele A. Taylor (donor)

Steele Taylor is a New Jersey native and a World War II Navy veteran. In 1948, after earning a degree in economics from Williams College in Winston, Massachusetts, he accepted a job offer from Dohler-Jarvis in Grand Rapids. In 1960 he moved to Grand Rapids Steel and was part owner and president when he retired in 1985. He has served on many boards throughout his career, such as the Mary Free Bed Hospital, Aquinas Emeritus Center, various Hospice boards and former member and president of the Art and Museum Board. Steele and his wife Mary are consummate world travelers and their collection is a testament to their travels. Artifacts donated by Steele are exceptional resources, representing various regions of the world. He has also donated an extensive collection of pewter items to the Grand Rapids Public Museum.