The two jugs above and one other of a parson are unusual as they are figures more than traditional toby's,
the arms ect. forming the handle which does not always appeal to collectors.
A traditional toby seated holding a jug of ale, wearing try-corn hat and in coloured
running glaze is a glorious sight, often compared to the beauty of a church stained
glass window. The early jugs were produced using metallic oxides fired at very high
temperatures and allowed to run, creating a glaze that highlighted the impurities that
are in and out of focus and are a trade mark of the Wood family of Burslem.
The metal oxides were limited in colour which gave rise to the under glaze and
enamelware's. Enamels were decorated on top of the glaze and fired for a second
time at a lower temperature producing a wider range of natural colours.
A traditional enamel toby A running glaze toby named A traditional enamel toby by
marked Walton c1820 the Collier c1785 Enoch Wood c1810
A fine Ralph Wood running A very unusual sailor toby A fine running glaze Thin Man
glaze Lord Howe c1785 running glaze by Ralph Wood toby c1785
c1785
Up until the early 1800's most factories in Staffordshire produced toby's, the best
known being Ralph Wood. Other fine potters of this period include, James Neale,
Enoch Wood, Wedgwood, Hollins, Walton, J Marsh and John Davenport, some
producing fine traditional models up until the 1850s. After that date as production
increased and the pieces simplified, lead glaze was banned their demise arrived
in the 1900's, replaced by character jugs that we see today.
A Pratt ware Martha Gunn The American Sailor or A Hearty Goodfellow
showing the Prince of Wales Dollars jug c1810 jug c1810
feathers on her hat c1800
Most toby's were produced with a hat or crown, mostly for decorative purposes but
one was made in large quantities with a utilitarian thimble shaped beaker. These are
very rare and are seldom associated with its jug, there is one illustrated in the
Captain Price book "Astbury Whieldon & Ralph Wood Figures & Toby Jugs"
page 130. As most toby's are not marked it is an advantage to study all pottery of
the period learning colours, style, and techniques and to have an open mind, as you
will almost certainly come across something that is unique.
Left, A William Kent Nelson c1880. A large cross leg Squire c1780 An enamel Gin Lady c1840
A William Kent Squire c1900
Home Brew Ale c1870 William Kent Sailor c1880 Staffordshire c1880
Toby's are a great collecting field. Our favorites are the 18th century models. Spanning
two hundred years everyone usually owns one, or a friend has one, a relative has
passed one on to them. They are a great conversation piece at antique fairs and
exhibitions we have attended over the years. The most common phrase is "Well I
have a toby and it is 10 inches high"
Happy hunting.
Ray & Diane Ginns
A section of the mezzotint that accompanied the song "The Brown Jug"
Many thoughts and thanks to the jolly gentleman that claimed to have inspired
the Staffordshire potters to produce these wonderful characters that have been
so popular since the 1780's. Still made today these jugs of yesteryear were characters
of their day with the inspiration for the first toby still remaining a mystery? There
have been many suggestions to solve the issue; some say it was a notorious topper
Paul Parnell. It is reported in 1810 that in his lifetime he drank upwards of £9000
worth of Yorkshire Stingo which taken at 2p per glass would mean he would have
consumed 500 pints every day for 60 years. However, although these figures don't
add up and the article of 1810 to late for the first toby's, the word Stingo did start
appearing on some enamel jugs around this time. One in particular is a Walton Lord
Howe, which would concur with this date.
Two late 18th century enamel plaques showing Dightons print.
Another character is Harry Elwes, who allegedly drank 2000 gallons of strong ale
from a brown jug and was known as Toby Fillpott. The name Toby Fillpott was used
in the verse of a song called the Brown Jug that was accompanied with a mezzotint
produced by Robert Dighton. The print shows a jolly gentleman seated with a foaming
jug of ale in one hand and a pipe in the other. The character of the print started appearing
on several wares towards the end of the 18th century and is likely that the toby was
made as a representation of this, inspired by a topical event and the appeal of the song.
