The Toby Jug or Character Jug dates way back to the 19th Century and later largely dominated by Royal Doulton but other ceramic makers, in fact up to 175 of them!, saw the Character Jug popularity and began producing their own designs, particularly during the period 1930's ~ 1950's
We have had these for family sentimental reasons (Grandma's from England/New Zealand) but although "interesting" they just don't suit our major collection of fine English and Irish china wares so our Character Jugs are about to leave home ...
This Character Jug was made by Shorter & Son (UK)
Shorter & Son (Stoke On Trent) were in operation 1906 ~ 1964 and produced a wide range of decorative tableware and pottery, including Toby Jugs.
SHORTER & SON (STAFFORDSHIRE) - Character Jug
SUBJECT: SCOTTIE
Scottie is of course a Scotsman, appropriately dressed in his tartans and holding a bottle of "something" with his left hand, to his side, while the right hand holds a drinking vessel. Most likely this is Whiskey, and he is partaking in a wee dram of the "water of life"
Again, like the other Toby characters we have, Scottie is not a happy Bodach (old man) with a distinct scowling in his face, perhaps the bottle is now empty?
This piece is circa 1940's, based upon when my Grandmother obtained it (Grandad was a Scotsman)
Hand painted piece
That said, these jugs were never intended to be "works of art" and are not even particularly well decorated (I can see the brush strokes used by the artist) but they were/are fun, interesting and sometimes a bit satirical. They were extremely popular in their "heyday" and certainly were something different from the usual ceramics and china based around tablewares and teasets.
DIMENSIONS:
115mm height (4.5") 105mm width (just over 4") - this width includes the side handle
In the world of "Toby Jugs" this is another small piece
Base marking (impressed)
SCOTTIE
SHORTER ENGLAND
In addition to the impressions, stamp printed in Black (under the glaze)
STAFFFORDSHIRE
HAND PAINTED
SHORTER & SON LTD
ENGLAND
CONDITION:
USED
NO cracks
NO crazing observed (Wet or Dry)
Colouring is bright and vivid, heavily applied although with rather coarse brush strokes particularly in the non-facial areas
I can see one chip/fleabite on the underside near the edge. Small but it is not hard to see due to the Orange coloured (now) clay underneath, you should be able to see this in the underside photograph.
There is one other thing to note ... sit back and I will tell you a story ....
Scottie's right shoe has a tiny chip but it is now hard to see although you can feel it. It has been infilled with Black paint and the colour matching is not too bad at all. You see, poor old Scottie had a tumble when I was a teenager - I remember the event well! Big drama's but Grandad went and had Scottie repaired (in Dunedin NZ) so that the chip is barely visible now.
We used to joke that Scottie was a lot like Grandad, after a few drams he would be a bit unsteady on his feet and occasionally take a tumble - same thing happened to Scottie.
Inside the jug is clean and unstained - quite normal as these were not seriously used for drinking but instead were decorative pieces.
