Toby Jugs

How can one visit England and not have a meal at one of the old and often profusely decorated Pubs found in almost every village.

The Failand Inn near Tyntesfield was no exception with its myriad collection of brass plates, horse brasses and a considerable amount of Toby jugs.

These pottery jugs originated in the 1700’s and were made either in the shape of a head and shoulders often of a famous person of that era, or of a seated figure in C18 costume.  These figures are usually depicted with a pipe and tricorn hat (usually the spout) and often holding a mug of beer.

There are various theories of how the name came into being: some say that it was named after a Shakespearean character or “after a notorious 18th century Yorkshire drinker, Henry Elwes, who was known as "Toby Fillpot" (or Phillpot)” quote from Wikipedia.  Another theory is that it was named after the popular  song, “Little Brown Jug” first published in 1761 because the first jugs were then made of a brown salt glaze.