Making its first appearance during the second half of the 1700’s, the Toby Jug was probably inspired by a print of Toby Philpot, a legendary drinking character about whom a song The Brown Jug was published in 1761. The original Toby Jugs were made by the Staffordshire potter Ralph Wood and his son from around 1760, and were widely copied by other potteries.

 

The standard Toby Jug stands 9-10 ins/23-25 cm high, and portrays a corpulent figure in long coat, white stockings, buckled shoes and three-cornered hat. A jug of foaming ale is balanced on his left knee, gripped with the left hand and supported by the right. There are however numerous variations on the original form.

 

Many versions were made, depicting different characters including a female one, Martha Gunn. More recent characters, such as the First and Second World War leaders have also been commemorated in jug form. This has today evolved into the Character Jug that has become as popular among collectors as the original Toby Jug of legendary fame.