Toby snuff jar 1852

This stoneware Toby snuff jar was crafted by the United States Pottery Company. Notice the figure of the jovial ‘Toby’ jug, an emblem of conviviality rooted in British folklore and now transmuted into American clay. The vessel he holds, brimming with the promise of tobacco, reminds me of the cornucopia, that horn of plenty overflowing with earthly delights, seen in classical art. Here, it is transformed into a symbol of social pleasure. The hat is similar to the pileus, the hat of freed slaves. The motif of the overflowing vessel recurs across centuries. It suggests the subconscious human yearning for abundance, freedom, and perhaps a touch of Dionysian escape. These vessels reappear throughout history, constantly reshaped by cultural and personal desires. The Toby jug, a symbol of laughter, is a reminder of our shared human experiences.