George Whitfield (Night Watchman) Toby Jug

Sergei Poskochin factory, Morye Village, St. Petersburg Province, Russia. 1830s

Underglaze and overglaze painting and lustre on faience

Height: 23.5 cm, base measures 10.2 by 13.5 cm

Impressed mark reads “S. Poskochin”, impressed markings read “N”

Donated as part of Nikolai Mironov’s collection in 1917.

Toby Jugs are pottery jugs, usually in the form of a seated figure in 18th century costume. The first such jugs appeared in the 1760s and have been widely copied by ceramics factories all over England up until the present day. Dozens

of different designs exist, from Sailors and Coal Miners to Squires and Planters.
In the late 18th-early 19th century, Toby Jugs parodying historical figures became especially popular. One of the founders of the Methodist movement, George Whitfield (1714-1770) helped spread the Great Awakening in Britain and America.