Toby Character Jugs 

Toby Character Jugs are whimsical ceramic jugs (that may resemble mugs to our modern eyes) with a small spout on the top. Each piece depicts a notable character, typically someone well known from history or fiction.

 The original Toby Jug was developed by Staffordshire potters in the 1760s. They featured a seated man dressed in period attire and wearing a tricorn hat. They were often used in local pubs and taverns. They are sometimes called “Ordinary Tobies.” They differ from character jugs which depict a head or face, not an entire body.

 There is no clear consensus on how the name came about. They may be named after Sir Toby Belch from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night or Uncle Toby in Tristram Shandy. It’s also possible that they were named after a Yorkshireman, Henry Elwes, who was apparently a heavy drinker with the unfortunate nickname Toby Fillpot, inspired by an old English drinking song, “The Brown Jug.” We may never know for sure.

 Today, Royal Doulton one of the manufacturers most commonly associated with Toby Character Jugs, having made them since the 1930s. Their jugs are featured in different sizes, colors and themes. Prices vary based on condition, popularity and rarity. Royal Doulton’s Toby Gillette Character Jug has sold for over $20,000 at auction. Other desirable Toby Character Jugs include Clark Gable and Winston Churchill, among others.

 My own collection has evolved over the last 10 to 15 years. I was first drawn to Toby Character Jugs due to their expressive faces and vivid colors. I also love the details associated with each piece. For instance, the Long John Silver Pirate has a parrot for a handle. Sherlock Holmes has a pipe and a magnifying glass for his handle. My nephews, having recently returned from a trip to London, once noticed that the Anne Boleyn jug had an ax for a handle, which is historically inaccurate – it should have been a sword. These are the kinds of details that inspire me to keep collecting!

 I’ve picked up Toby Character Jugs at tag sales, flea markets, antique stores and consignment shops. I purchased several jugs from the Henry VIII collection on eBay. I don’t usually pay more than $35 per piece and two of my jugs were free at the side of the road after a tag sale. (Free is my favorite price!) I’ve enjoyed hunting for pieces over the years and my collection has grown fairly large as a result, begging the question – where do I display my fantastic Toby Jugs?

 There is no one way to display a favorite collection. I’ve seen many creative solutions on Pinterest. I wanted to place them somewhere visible so I could enjoy them, but out of the way of my two destructive Maine Coon cats. My husband kindly built me a long wooden shelf that he installed over the French doors in our sunroom. I primed and painted them, and now I have a lovely and safe space for my treasures. It works for me!