toby jug

James Neale & Co

Summary

Toby jug, with heavy strap loop handle emerging from back. Grinning gap-toothed figure of Toby sits on octagonal plinth, with a jug of foaming beer in both hands resting on one knee, long stemmed pipe resting on the ground beside right leg. Cream coloured earthenware painted in overglaze enamels to give pale sepia brown coat and breeches, blue waistcoat and black hat and shoes with green laces. Pink face with deep red cheeks and purple nose and spots, eyes, eyebrows and hair in dark brown with sgraffito marks in hair giving texture. Seat and handle painted red-brown, plinth with narrow blue band, empty beer mug in red-brown.

Display Label

Social Ritual Afternoon tea, or dinner with friends and family, going out for a coffee, or having a drink in the pub are just a few of the social rituals enjoyed by many. Some rituals have survived through the centuries, or been adapted to suit our ever-changing society, whilst others have been lost in the mists of time. Different cultures have their own social rituals. Although sometimes seen as strange and exotic, they often inspire other countries to adopt them. Food, drink and the rituals associated with them, once new, expensive or for the elite, are now taken for granted and part of everyday life. The objects on display reflect some of those rituals; where they came from and how they have changed, those that have survived and those that were lost. They each tell a story about a time and a place, the people from the past and society today.