This document provides teaching ideas centered around examining a Victorian moustache cup in a photo. Students are prompted with 22 questions to analyze various aspects of the cup, such as what it is made of, when it dates from, how it was used, and other details to infer its purpose and context during the Victorian era. The questions are intended for older primary or younger secondary students to critically think about the object.

1. Victorian Artefacts - Teaching and Learning Ideas
A Victorian Moustache Cup
Image copyright East Lothian Museums Service
These teaching ideas are particularly suitable for older primary or younger secondary learners. You
are welcome to adapt and tailor the contents to suit other ages and stages.
Have a close look at the object in the picture above.
1) What do you think it is?
2) What do you think it is made from?
3) How old do you think it is?
4) Who was alive at that time?
5) What was happening then?
6) Are there any special clues on it?
7) What might these clues mean?
8) What do you think it was used for?
9) How do you think it was made?
10) Who do you think made it?
11) Is it damaged in any way? How? Why do you think this happened?

2. 12) How do you think the object worked?
13) How has it been decorated?
14) Why do you think it has been decorated?
15) Do you think it's a real one? Or a copy? Or a fake?
16) Do we have things like it nowadays?
17) Are modern ones different?
18) What do you think of it?
19) Would you like to own this?
20) What sort of person do you think would have owned or used it?
21) How much has the shape been determined by the materials used?
22) Why does it have writing on it?
23) Why is it this particular colour?