THE THIN MAN
This is one of the most sought-after toby jugs you can find. No collection is truly complete without a Thin Man.
Dating from the 1770's and often attributed to Ralph Wood, the Thin Man depicts a very slender figure, seated, drinking ale. He is very finely modelled and decorated in lovely translucent glazes. This version holds a goblet to his lips and an empty fluted jug in his hand. They can also be found holding a pipe and jug.
A very rare jug to find.
NEALE & CO ORDINARY
Neale & Co is another name synonymous with the production of Toby Jugs during the late 18th/early 19th centuries. Their jugs are of excellent quality and made with a fine attention to detail, particularly their facial features, hair, hands etc. As can be seen on this one, the glazes can be liable to flaking, but this does not detract from the overall appearance. Neale & Co jugs can sometimes be found with an impressed mark to the base, as is the case with this one, and either with a plain base as pictured, or quite often with an attractive marbled effect base.
CREAMWARE TOBY JUG WITH BARREL
This is a nice variation of an Ordinary Toby Jug, possibly made in or near to the Leeds Pottery around the 1790's. He is finely potted & has nice translucent running glazes. Can be found with a blue or brown sponged jacket. In the past has sometimes wrongly been referred to as Whieldon type.
He is well-equipped for the nights' drinking with a small barrel or firkin of ale stowed between his feet! More rarely these jugs can be found with the barrel laying sideways between the feet.
THE SINNER
At first glance this jug is very similar to The Drunken Parson. However, he has sharper features & is less well dressed, wearing a coloured coat & waistcoat & no cravat. Rather than wearing a wig, his hair is long & lank & he has a rather drunken look upon his face.
This is a very rare jug dating from around 1800, he is about 8" tall, & to my knowledge has not been made in any other sizes.
FEMALE SNUFFTAKER
Whilst the male snufftaker is a fairly common jug, this female version is relatively rare.
She is slightly later in date than some jugs, being thought to have been produced from around 1840/50, and is decorated in nice bright enamel colours. Some are thought to be made at Portobello.
I really like this jug, just look at the expression on her face - it says a lot about the effects of snufftaking!
LONG FACED TOBY
This is a variation of the "Ordinary" toby, having a longer face than normal, hence the name. Few of these jugs were produced and most are attributed to Ralph Wood dating from the 1780's . They are a finely modelled and detailed jug, and are sometimes found holding a glass in one hand rather than supporting the jug with both hands.
In most instances they are found decorated in a transluscent running glaze.However, the one pictured here is more unusual being in the traditional Prattware colours of orange, yellow & brown.