Curio

State Library of New South Wales
John Manton

John Manton

1868

Oil on canvas

ML 272

Presented by Mrs R.B. Abercrombie (nee Florence Adele Manton), March 1957


In 2004, deploring the demise of the modern moustache, two Melbourne men initiated the ‘Movember’ campaign to raise funds for men's health issues. 10 years on ‘Movember’ is now supported by 4.7 million people in 21 countries.

Men's facial hair fashions have waxed and waned over time. In this oil portrait, Sydney mine-owner, John Manton, sports a popular mid-19th century style known as the 'Friendly Mutton Chop' – in which long, side whiskers hanging well below the jaw line are bridged by a well-trimmed moustache above a clean shaven chin. 


Shaving was revolutionized once again in 1971, when the Gillette company debuted the first two-blade razor to increase the ease of achieving a perfect close shave. 


Facial hair grown across the upper lip is known as a moustache and can be worn in combination with other styles. If the moustache extends from ear to ear, connecting the side whiskers via the chin, it is known as a beard.


Beards can be worn in a variety of styles including the chinstrap, chin curtain or goatee.


Side whiskers became known as ‘sideburns’ after an American Civil War General named Burnside who sported extravagant hanging whiskers; sideburns have shifted in and out of fashion ever since.


First patented by a retired Army colonel named Jacob Schick in 1928, the electric shaver created a new multi-million dollar market for the ‘dry shave’; by 1937 Schick had sold 1.5 million of his shavers.