Toby jug 1775 - 1785

Curator: Here we have a ceramic Toby jug made between 1775 and 1785, attributed to Ralph Wood the Younger. These jugs were popular in the late 18th century. Editor: My first thought is cozy, maybe a bit mischievous! He looks like he has stories. I’m drawn to the muted glaze – not quite gaudy, but pleasantly worn. Curator: They certainly tell stories, although some of them are darker than one might expect. Toby jugs like this one emerged during a time of significant social and political upheaval. The consumption of ale was very much part of working-class social life. Editor: Makes you wonder what kind of ale was brewed back then, eh? I imagine dark and very bitter. He is quite self-satisfied, I think. The composition's vertical thrust almost makes it seem he might spring up at any minute and give you his opinion on, oh, colonial tax policies or something. Curator: Exactly. And while appearing convivial, it’s important to acknowledge that the commercialization of alcohol, evidenced in these figures, coincided with issues like poverty and exploitation. Some jugs even served as political caricatures. Editor: Interesting. So, this fellow might have been subtly taking the mickey out of someone? You know, when you see art in a museum you often forget it could be everyday objects loaded with satirical jibes. Art can be a quiet, biting revolution, eh? I'll raise a glass to that. Curator: Indeed. While we can appreciate the craftmanship and this work as a prime example of decorative art, it’s essential to consider the complex social and political dynamics they often reflect, revealing tensions and anxieties within 18th-century British society. Editor: I like knowing he carries all that weight, beneath his jovial surface. Gives the jug more layers than you might imagine, at first glance. Curator: Absolutely, an everyday object infused with history.