Toby Jug

Dateabout 1850-1875

MediumCast buff-colored earthenware with a blue-tinted glaze, underglaze cobalt blue, black, grey, and green decoration, and overglaze brown and dark green enamels

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 4 3/4 x 9 7/8 x 3 1/2in. (12.1 x 25.1 x 8.9cm)

ClassificationsCeramics

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Howard B. Haylett

Object number1976.60.12

DescriptionFigural buff-colored earthenware jug with a blue-tinted glaze, a type of ceramic known as pearlware. The jug is in the shape of a standing, short, fat man wearing a three-cornered hat, a form known as a Toby Jug. The man is standing on an uneven surface. He wears a vest, knee-length pants, and a jacket. His hands are resting in his vest pockets. His smiling face is tilted down, and the front corner of his three-corner hat forms the spout of the jug. A handle emerges from the back of the man's jacket, and there is a mold line on each side of the jug. The jug is decorated with both underglaze and overglaze colors. The underglaze colors include the man's black hat and shoes, grey hair, and cobalt blue jacket. The overglaze colors include the man's brown enamel pants and dark green enamel stockings. The base of the jug is underglaze yellow and green, with a few spots of overglaze brown enamel. There is crazing over all the surfaces of the jug, and the brown enamel on the man's pants is flaking badly. There is a crack in the rim of the jug.

NotesSubject Note: Toby Jugs, a caricature of a fat man often holding drinking paraphernalia, were first made in England in the eighteenth century. Early jugs showed seated figures holding a cup and a jug, or were just the head of a man with long curly hair, always wearing a three-cornered hat. Over time, Toby Jugs were made as caricatures of famous people and political figures. Later Toby Jugs were full figures of a standing fat man, such as this one. (Hunt 11/24/2004)

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