Victorian Toby Jug.

After cobalt blue was introduced as an under glaze colour for the larger areas of figural pottery, mainly their coats, potters produced a wonderful array of toby jugs that are still undervalued and make an extremely colourful collection From the 1840's extra work needed for production was now out weighed by cost so many Victorian pieces became manufactured as economically as possible.The moulds to make a toby were decreased and simplified but with detailed colourful facial painting and naturalistic country greenery bases charming toby characters were still manufactured.

If collecting this period of toby please make sure that your toby is purchased in good condition and with an original detachable hat, (measure or stopper)..... if it should have one!! Some minor flaking to enamel colours may sometimes occur on handles or brims of hats this is usually genuine age wear.

Back in the 1970's our first collected toby jugs were "Blues" and I still think of them as a fabulous colourful collecting field. At my first exhibition "Old School" dealers told me to remove them from my stand as they "lowered the tone" but after selling them as quickly as possible I regretted that decision and have spent the last thirty years buying and selling them with joy. Every pocket can be satisfied in collecting antique toby jugs as "Blues" and Victorian models are still very accessible and less expensive than their older rarer brothers.

A collection of Staffordshire toby jugs and figure teapots circa 1850-1900.
In a "Blues"collection the cobalt blue co-ordinates in Toby's jackets complimenting each other to make a
wonderful shelf collection.  Here below are a  few of the toby models that have been sold through our 
archive sales being displayed in no particular order:

Humpy Back toby jug.
Traditionally seated model with an enlarged
back slightly stooping forward in his seat.
The model representing an older drinker with
a curvature of the spine.
illustrated the largest 10 inch of three sizes.

Can't be sure if this model ever had a detachable 
hat. I've never seen one.

John Bull toby jug.
A seated gentleman resting a scroll incised with 
" Budget " on his knee and holding a bag in the other 
hand presumably filled with money.
Top hat is detachable and he wears high boots.
Date registration codes on some that date from
the 1890-91 period.
Another thought that it could be the "Chancellor"
with his budget or a "Rent Collector" because he 
sometimes has "Account" inscribed on the scroll.

Nelson toby jug.
A standing toby of Nelson with one arm as
portrayed after his battle at Santa Cruz de Tenerif.

Horatio Nelson (1758-October 1805)
His death was at the battle of Trafalgar and
he is commemorated as one of Britain's most
heroic figures.
This toby sits well in a commemorative or a toby
collection so earlier models hold their value well.

Pickwick toby jug.
Possibly by Sampson and Smith he is
a seated old gentleman wearing spectacles
and seated against a naturalistic coloured 
tree trunk.
 
A similar tree trunk back mould can be seen on the Gladstone toby.

Sampson and Smith 1851 produced many different toby
models but not all their wares are marked. (1851-90)

Rodney's Sailor toby jug.
Seated on a chest a contemporised copy of the 
early models that are held with such high value.

There have been tobies in this model sold
very expensively just because the coat is
mottled brown....maybe the purchasers
have been mistaken thinking  because toby
wears a round hat he is early or the colour
coat is an early enamel.....expensive mistakes.

Standing Snuff-taker toby jug.
Models were produced right through the century
from about the 1840+ period. 
Very popular model with a tubby belly, it is
said to represent Benjamin Franklin as he had the 
habit of taking snuff.
illustrated model circa 1860+
There are Miniature models of  Snuff-taker toby
jugs marked Sampson & Smith.(1851-90)

Squire toby jug.
A contemporised copy of an original early Squire he
sits in a triangular chair usually smoking a pipe.
Many of the later models just have a hole where the
pipe should be and lots have been added at a later date.
It is thought that this model originally represented 
Ralph Wood ( the potters) father.
Prolifically potted well into the 20th century, it is one of 
the most seen models.
No detachable hat was produced for this model.

Traditional toby jug with a hat.
Seated in a chair holding a little jug and pipe.
sometimes the pipe is replaced by a cup and
his pipe can be by his feet.

There are models incised 1793 at the front of their bases
this was probably produced as a centenary model to 
celebrate 100 years of the toby jug in the 1880-1900
period. The 1793 models have a tri-angular shaped 
detachable hat.

Punch & Judy toby jugs.
Many made by the William Kent factory and their
dates are from the late 19th to well into the 20th century.

Some have incised date codes in their bases but these 
models must be purchased with their original detachable 
hats as all character and most of their value is lost without
them.

Gladstone toby jug or Character Toby.
A British Liberal Statesman (1809-98) & Chancellor
of the Exchequer (1852-55) portrayed with an axe at his feet.
In 1858 Gladstone took up the hobby of tree felling,
mostly oak trees, an exercise he continued until he was 81
The model is also sometimes just called the "Woodman".
He sits against a tree trunk and was probably potted by
the Sampson and Smith Factory (1851-90) their registration
date is 1851 but most of the "blues" and Victorian models
they potted later into their productive reign.

Home Brew Ale or The Landlord toby jug.
A fine quality model with fruiting vines around
his hat and handle. Seated across a barrel displaying
"Home Brew Ale" toby comes in three sizes and has a 
splendid detachable hat.

Sampson & Smith, Longton, England is said to have
produced this model as there has been one found marked.
(1851-1890).

Lady Snuff-taker toby jug.
A lady in a bright apron her base naturalistically coloured 
A pair with the snuff-taker below.
Very late 19th century - mid 20th century models.
Never seen this model with a detachable hat. 

These models were always a good decorative item
for public houses known as " the toby jug " many
were sold during my early years for advertising
purposes.

Male Snuff-taker toby jug.
Paired with the Snuff-lady above.
Very late 19th century - mid 20th century.
Never seen this model with a detachable hat. 

Well coloured these models were always a
good decorative item for public houses known
as " the toby jug " many were sold during my
early years for advertising purposes.

Falstaff  toby or character jug.
Sir John Falstaff, a fictional character who has appeared in William
Shakespeare plays. A robust, boastful knight who lead Prince Hal into
troublesome ways.
A majolica glazed toby that usually has a date lozenge on the base from
the c1860-80 period. 
Majolica glaze is highly collected with its own collector enthusiasts.

Traditional toby jug or an " Ordinary" model toby.
The arms and jug not of seperate moulds, toby was  
produced with a detachable tri-corn hat.
Note earlier models have seperate arms and little jugs which
help date the earlier period Victorian models.

Usually well coloured and produced well into the 20th century.
There are models incised 1793 at the front of their bases
this was probably produced as a centenary model to 
celebrate 100 years of the toby jug in the 1880-1900
period.