suspicious, but I am now. I think maybe the sheep were also added. This jug was in very bad condition but sold for £1495 with buyer's premium.
The Snuff Taker Colour picture on page 75. Sometimes referred to as the 'Benjamin Franklin' Toby', owing to its said likeness to the eighteenth century American statesman, philosopher and inventor, 1706-90. He lived in England for eighteen years and he probably took snuff, as it was the fashion of the time. The jug is in the form of a pot-bellied man taking a pinch of snuff from a box held in his left hand. It is the most common of all Toby Jug types and it can be found in Rockingham treacle glaze, brown saltglaze, overglaze enamel, plain white and silver lustre (the latter giving a pleasing effect when slightly worn off, exposing the brown glaze underneath leaving a ghostly, ethereal appearance). He is generally modelled quite poorly, although there are some attractive 4" versions to be found. Some variations have a spout rising out from Snuff Taker teapot c!850. under his pot-belly which transforms the 'Snuff Taker' into a teapot in the most startling manner (not to be used when your maiden aunt comes to tea!). £100/$150+. There are rare and very interesting stoneware versions of the 'Snuff Taker'. Two jugs are notable because of their similarities and their differences. One is about 7" high, holding a square snuff box upside down at arms length, the whole jug being coloured and slightly glazed. The figure is inscribed on the base, 'A.C. Pope 1829', which tells us that the 'Snuff Taker' has been in production since at least that date. The other stoneware 'Snuff Taker' holds the square snuff box in the more conventional manner and is slightly different in that it is much harsher and brighter than the other, almost a majolica. This jug is not signed, but was obviously made by the same potter. There were a great many makers of this jug over the years and there are consequently a great number of different types. William Kent of Burslem was making the 'Snuff Taker' from cl900 up to 1962 (mould no. 390), and Allerton and Son had another long production run from cl859-1942. The Allerton 'Snuff Takers' usually have some lustre and gilt decoration on them, the figure wearing a blue coat. Another maker was Sharpe Brothers and Co. who made a 'Snuff Taker' and a companion female standing figure in a long dress. This is in majolicaSnuff Taker type with Jug ware with a glaze running up the figure, varying from yellow to green. It is a el 840. poorly modelled jug, made cl880 (see Lady Toper). It is possible to find a 6" high Staffordshire enamel overglaze Toby in a blue mottled coat which is the same pot-bellied standing figure as the 'Snuff Taker'. In place of the snuff box in his left hand, he holds a large pot and in his right, a foaming jug of ale (see under Standing Toby). All of these snuff taking Tobies and their kindred drinkers have a base which is adorned with a bacchus motif of vine leaves and bunches of grapes. The 'Snuff Taker' is very common and because he came later than the Ordinary (from around 1830), it is difficult to find any that were made in the quality of the early period. James Dudson of Hartley show in their sales ledger of 1842-44 that 'Snuff Taker' Toby Jugs were being made by them and selling for 4 shillings (20p) per dozen, but it is not known the size of these jugs. Small 'Snuff Takers' around 6" high were made by Sampson Smith, and where marked (not always the case) in raised capital letters. See also under 'Tumbler Toby', John Carrol. Value of all these jugs is under £150/$225.
The Soldier Colour picture on page 76. An Ordinary Toby which gets its name because he is wearing a long red coat with yellow buttons (for brass), yellow breeches, a black tricorn hat and black shoes, which all fit in with the clothing of an eighteenth century soldier. His white hose has a number of wavy blue stripes running down the leg.
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© Francis Joseph Publications 2014