He’s not handsome, he can quaff gallons of beer and his smile is more like a grimace but a Toby jug has surprised us all at auction.
In case you are unfamiliar with them, Toby jugs depict a rugged fellow who likes his ale. Always seated, he has a jug of frothing beer in his hand and a happy, if slightly sozzled, expression.
Examples crop up in many British homes because they were developed and popularised by Staffordshire potters in the 1760s.
The one that set bidders’ pulses racing was a rugged fellow with wild eyebrows, long hair and bright yellow coat. This unexpected star of Hansons’ March ceramics auction, hammered at £500 from £70-£90 estimate. Despite chips to the hat and jug spout, the 19th century Staffordshire pearlware Toby jug was a top-selling lot.
It was an interesting result because Toby jugs aren’t to everyone’s taste. They’ve had their ups and downs in the auction market over the years but if this result is anything to go by their star is rising.
A Toby jug, also sometimes known as a Fillpot (or Philpot), is a pottery jug in the form of a seated person, or the head of a recognisable person. Typically the seated figure is a heavy-set, jovial man holding a mug of beer in one hand and a pipe of tobacco in the other. He wears 18th-century attire – a long coat and a tricorn hat.
The hat forms a pouring spout, often with a removable lid, and a handle is attached at the rear. Jugs depicting just the head and shoulders of a figure are also referred to as Toby jugs, though these are actually called ‘character jugs’ or face jugs, the wider historical term.
Though the original Toby jug, with brown salt glaze, emerged in Staffordshire its thought the Midland makers were inspired by similar Delft jugs produced in the Netherlands in the 1760s. Staffordshire’s popular creation spread around England, and eventually in other countries, both in Europe and the British colonies. Perhaps an indication of the ever-popular importance of beer in our ancestors’ lives!
There are competing theories for the origin of the name Toby jug. Though it has been suggested the pot is named after Sir Toby Belch in Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night, or Uncle Toby in Laurence Sterne’s Tristram Shandy, the most widely accepted theory is that it was inspired by a Yorkshireman called Henry Elwes.
He was famous for drinking 2,000 gallons of Stingo beer from his silver tankard while eating nothing. I’m no sure whether that was 2,000 gallons a day, week or year! Stingo is a northern slang term for strong beer.
Thanks to Henry’s drinking abilities, he was nicknamed Toby Fillpot. After his death in 1761 a London publisher of popular prints, Carrington Bowles, issued a mezzotint portrait of him. It became a best-seller as did Burslem potter Ralph Wood’s Toby jugs based on the portrait.
Toby Fillpot was also the subject of poem, ‘The Brown Jug’, by Francis Fawkes. It contains the rather wonderful line, ‘In boosing about ‘t was his praise to excel’.
If you have a Toby jug or two at home it may well be worth gaining a valuation. And if the result is good you can celebrate with a beer, but maybe not 2,000 gallons!
Another lot to tickle bidders’ fancy also celebrated Britain’s love affair with ale. Lot 1085, a 19th century blue and white transfer-printed farmer’s jug bore the inscription, ‘A Jug of Ale, A Merry Song. A Funney Tale, But not too long’. It reached £170 from a £100-£120 guide.
Blue and white transfer-printed ceramics are enduringly popular with collectors and, though no beer was involved, other lots bearing this crisp design feature excelled at Hansons. Lot 1067, an early 19th century blue and white transfer-printed Spode Greek series oblong stand, soared to £360 from a £50-60 estimate. Likewise, lot 1068, another similar early 19th century example, achieved £460 from a £50-£60 guide.
Its always heart-warming to see modest guide prices smashed and that was achieved again thanks to other blue and white transfer-printed wares. Despite damage and repairs, lots 1096 and 1097, both small collections of 19th century ceramics of this type, achieved £220 and £160 respectively from £20-£30 guides.
Auction results are a firm indicator of current trends and if the spring sunshine is shedding light on forgotten ceramics – or Toby jugs – perhaps now is as good a time as any to gain some expert advice.
Auction entries invited
Entries invited for monthly ceramics auctions. Valuations of antiques and jewellery available Monday to Saturday at Hansons’ Derbyshire saleroom. To book email [email protected] or call 01283 733988.
