Drinking scenes were a common genre on these vessels. The English public house, or ‘pub’ of Victorian times, was a social center for congregating, eating, drinking, and lodging. Many of these jugs displayed pub behavior based on popular stories where the characters were drunk, out of control, and morally flawed. But they were funny. These jugs depicted a boisterous life filled with heavy drinking, and socializing in a pub may have reflected the lives of their owners.
Minton Medieval Revelry July 23, 1852 White ceramic 1322
Unknown ‘The Snuff Taker’ Toby Jug c. 1820 Buff stoneware, Britannia metal lid 539.HII8
W.T. Copeland ‘The Jolly Toper’ Uncle Toby and a Smoker c. 1845 Drab stoneware, Britannia metal lid 1258
Edward Walley Toby Philpot 1830-1839 Blue stoneware 699
JWP & Co. (after William Ridgway & Co.) Willie Brew’d a Peck o’ Maut 1851 White stoneware 819.H105
Unknown Willie Brew’d a Peck o’ Maut c. 1860 White stoneware, blue enamel 949
Staffordshire Potteries Monkey Jug: ‘Smoking Party’ and ‘Card Party’ c. 1840 Buff stoneware Unnumbered