
Why is a Toby jug called a Toby jug? The Toby Jug was named after a notorious 18th century Yorkshire drinker, Henry Elwes, who was known as “Toby Fillpot” (or Phillpot). It was inspired by an old English drinking song, “The Brown Jug”, which paid tribute to Toby Fillpot; the popular verses were first published in 1761.
What is the most expensive Toby Jug?
What is the most expensive Toby jug? #1- Toby Gillette Character Jug This jug is the most valuable in Royal Doulton history with only three existing around the world. One of these jugs is kept in a Royal Doulton museum, another given to the viewer and the last recently sold for over $30, 000. Popular Trending About Us Asked by: Nene Mares
What is the general value of Toby mugs?
Vintage Royal Doulton mugs can be worth a few dollars to a few thousand dollars so it is important to research the value of your item before you list it for sale. Toby Mugs also referred to as Toby Jugs are some of the most valuable vintage Royal Doulton pieces.
What were Toby mugs used for?
These jugs were common in taverns and were used to serve beer, ale, whiskey and other spirits. Toby jugs are akin to the modern day growler, 40 oz, handle or jug of beer/spirits. The nature of the vessel shows its intent. The handle, pour spout and cup make it an easy and self contained service for one.
What is the value of the Jester Toby Jug?
Toby Jug Kevin Francis Vic Schuler £200.00 Toby Jug King George Vi Queen Elizabeth Ii D7167 D7168 £90.00 Toby Jug Lamp Base -‐ Tam O Shanter -‐ Vgc 1930s1940s £9.00 Toby Jug Large Size ...

What is the difference between a Toby Jug and a Toby mug?
Original Toby Jugs showed a seated man, sporting a tricorn hat, puffing on a pipe, and holding a mug of ale. Toby Jugs also must have a spout, designating that it's used to pour a liquid. Toby Mugs: A Toby Mug is a Toby Jug that doesn't have a spout. Without a spout, it's used for drinking, so it's a mug.
What is the meaning of Toby Jug?
Definition of toby jug : a small jug, pitcher, or mug shaped somewhat like a stout man with a cocked hat for the brim. — called also toby.
Who is the Toby Jug based on?
Henry ElwesThe Toby Jug was named after a notorious 18th century Yorkshire drinker, Henry Elwes, who was known as "Toby Fillpot" (or Phillpot). It was inspired by an old English drinking song, "The Brown Jug", which paid tribute to Toby Fillpot; the popular verses were first published in 1761.
What is the rarest Toby Jug?
The most valuable Toby Jug I've ever handled was a Ralph Wood Toby Jug of a man drinking with his feet overlapping the plinth. The fact that his feet were overlapping made him quite rare. It was made in 1780 and sold for a magnificent £360 back in 1996!
What is a Toby in cockney rhyming slang?
""Toby" means "road" in this context, but it isn't rhyming slang. It seems to come from about 1811. It is derived from the language of Irish travellers who use the word "tober" to mean road. Another related expression is the toby meaning highway robbery. High toby meaning highway robbery on horseback.
Do they still make Toby mugs?
Most Toby Jug manufacturers have discontinued making them as their popularity has ebbed during the 21st Century. Today, there are only three companies still producing Character and Toby Jugs, however if history is to repeat itself, one might look forward to a resurgence in the future.
Why is it called Toby Carvery?
The name comes from the iconic Toby jug, which is a pottery jug made in the shape of a head, usually wearing a tricorn hat, which forms the spout.
How many Toby Jugs are there?
Seventy-one years later, Mullins displays more than 8,000 of the jugs at the American Toby Jug Museum in this lakeside suburb north of Chicago. The jugs, some going as far back as the 18th century and other as recent as the “Black Panther” film, are commonly referred to as Toby Jugs.
When did Royal Doulton stop making figures in England?
Royal Doulton produced the figurines from 1922 to 1983. The original figurines were crafted from fine bone china, although later (and larger) versions were created with earthenware.
How do you date a Royal Doulton Toby Jug?
Look for a number in the upper right hand corner of the underside of the jug. Royal Doulton stamped a number there which, when added to the number 1927, will give you the date the piece was made. This number was stamped on the Toby jugs from the year 1927 on.
What is a Toby jug?
The Toby Jug is defined as a jug or pitcher in the form of a full-bodied character, while a Character Jug comprise (s) only the head or face, and often shoulders.
Who made Toby's character jugs?
In the early and late 20th century, Toby and Character jugs were produced by more than 200 different makers, including Royal Doulton, Shorter and Son, Lancaster-Sandland, Royal Worcester, (Kevin Francis) and Wedgwood & Co. in England.
What jugs were introduced in the 19th century?
In the 19th century new jugs were introduced including the Cross-legged Toby and Sir John Falstaff. By the end of the 19th century, the popularity of the Toby Jug had risen such that Tobies were being produced in France, Germany, America and other parts of the world, although these figural jugs have different names in non-English speaking countries.
How to tell if a jug is a mug?
Jugs are used for pouring; mugs are used for drinking. To determine if a piece is a jug or a mug, look at the top rim. If the opening has a spout, it’s a jug. If not, it’s a mug. .
What were the popular jugs in the 18th century?
In addition to the Ordinary Toby, other popular Jugs from the 18th and early 19th centuries are the Thin Man, Squire, Hearty Goodfellow, Sailor, Man on a Barrel, Lord Howe, Collier, Drunken Sal, Gin Woman and Martha Gunn. In the 19th century new jugs were introduced including the Cross-legged Toby and Sir John Falstaff.
What is a tobie hat?
The first Tobies, made in the form of a seated jovial, stout man dressed in the attire of the period, wearing a tri-corn hat, puffing on a pipe and holding a mug of ale (stingo), are referred to as "Ordinary Tobies.". The tricorn hat forms a pouring spout and a handle is attached to the rear.
Who is the brown jug named after?
While the origin of its moniker is unclear, it is widely believed it was named after Toby Fillpot, an infamous sot in a song called “The Brown Jug” that was popular in England in the late 1700’s and illustrated with a mezzotint of a fat toper with a jug in hand and the verse beneath.
What is a Toby Jug?
Photograph by scrappy annie. Toby jugs portray a character whose story is rather unclear.
Where was the Toby Jug made?
This jug is very Toby-like, well-supplied with drink and a clay pipe resting between his legs, but he was made in Brittany, not England, probably before 1800, and he has a bicorne, 2-pointed hat. Is he drinking wine? Photo by Pymouss

Overview
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 recognizable 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 and wearing 18th-century attire: a long coat and a tricorn hat. The tricorn hat forms a pouring spout, often with a removable lid, a…
Etymology
There are competing theories for the origin of the name "Toby Jug". Although it has been suggested that the pot is named after Sir Toby Belch in Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night, or Uncle Toby in Thomas Sterne's Tristram Shandy, the most widely accepted theory is that the original was a Yorkshireman, Henry Elwes, 'famous for drinking 2,000 gallons of strong stingo beer from his silver tankard, while eating nothing....He was nicknamed Toby Fillpot, and after his death in 176…
Cultural references
In the book and 1949 film Twelve O'Clock High a Toby Jug depicting Robin Hood is used as a signal in the officer's club, to discreetly warn aircrews that there will be a mission the following day, without revealing this to outsiders who might be visiting. The Toby Jug plays a pivotal role in the film.
A Toby Jug collector and her large collection also figure prominently in the plot of the Bravo/Net…
Collections
The American Toby Jug Museum is located on Chicago Avenue in Evanston, Illinois, US.
External links
• "Jug" . Encyclopedia Americana. 1920.
• American Toby Jug Museum