First there were barber bowls to catch whatever fell into them. Don't ask. Toward the middle 19th century, the shaving mug began to supplant barber bowls. Used with a brush for lathering, these wide handled mugs were made out of redware, stoneware, pewter, tin, silverplate, porcelain, pottery, and glass. After the Civil War, beards went out of fashion. Straight razor shaving at home could be dangerous so men began flocking to barbershops. Partly as a marketing ploy, and more importantly, for hygienic reasons, American barbers began supplying their regular customers with their own mug and brush. Many were pictured with their occupations on them. These barber shops also had shaving mug cabinets for all of their regular customers. We've got one and it's a dandy. Gorgeous wooden cabinet (40 x 7-1/4 x 31") has individual slots for 28 shaving mugs. Cabinet is in NM-MT condition.