Toby jugs (Collectors' pieces, 16)

This series of handbooks, "Collectors' Pieces," is intended for the reader who has limited knowledge of the particular subject, perhaps culled from visits to museums, but who may be encouraged to start a collection of the less expensive pieces. Each volume deals with the subject historically and – where applicable - biographically, and explains the processes of manufacture in simple terms. The reader is told where he may see the rarer pieces, and, to help him in identification, a list of marks is given where appropriate. This volume deals with Toby Jugs - “Toby” being one particular character in the very wide field of what has been rather grandly called anthropomorphic pottery – jugs made in the likeness of a human being. The character in this case is Toby Fillpot, and he came into existence in England somewhere in the second half of the eighteenth century. Further history and background of this figure are explored in this volume.