Toby Jugs and character jugs have been popular collectables for centuries, admired for their craftsmanship, humour, and historical charm. At Potteries Auctions, we’ve been valuing and selling Toby Jugs, Royal Doulton character jugs, and Staffordshire pottery for over 25 years.
Discover what your Toby Jug could be worth:
- Request a free valuation today
- Send clear photographs via WhatsApp for professional advice
Why Your Toby Jug Might Be Valuable
Some Toby Jugs fetch strong prices at auction, especially if they meet any of these criteria:
✅ Made before the early 20th century
✅ Produced by Royal Doulton or a recognised Staffordshire pottery
✅ Limited edition, prototype, or discontinued design
✅ Unusual subject or historical figure
✅ Larger-sized or highly detailed example
✅ Excellent condition with no cracks or restoration
If you would prefer to speak with an expert in person, you can book a free appointment with our valuers at one of our salerooms. Alternatively, if it’s easier, you can submit photographs using our online valuation form, and a member of our team will be in touch with an assessment.
Why Trust Potteries Auctions?
With over 25 years’ experience in British ceramics and collectables, Potteries Auctions is a trusted UK auction house.
What we do:
- Offer clear, realistic advice on whether your Toby Jug is suitable for auction
- Assess Royal Doulton, Staffordshire, Clarice Cliff, Kevin Francis, and other sought-after makers
- Provide accurate valuations based on real auction results and current collector demand
What is a Toby Jug?
A Toby Jug, also known as a character jug, is a collectible ceramic pitcher shaped like a person, animal, or famous figure. They originated in 18th-century England, often attributed to John Astbury or Thomas Wheildon.
Notable facts:
- Collectors, especially in the UK, still compete for rare examples
- Royal Doulton began mass production in the early 1900s
- Charles Nokes’ Kingsware series boosted popularity in the 1930s
Why is it called a Toby Jug?
The name may come from Henry Elwes (Toby Fillpot) in the 18th-century English drinking song “The Brown Jug”. Toby Jugs typically feature:
- A seated figure holding a jug of ale
- A tricorn hat and jug-shaped body
They became cherished collectibles due to their whimsical charm.
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What’s the difference between a toby jug and a character jug?
Although nowadays the terms “toby jug” and “character jug” can be seen being used a bit more loosely and interchangeably, there is a difference between the two. A Toby Jug is a jug or pitcher of a full-length figure, while a character jug is usually more reminiscent of a bust, comprising of a just a face or a head and shoulders.
How do I know what my toby jug is worth?
There’s a few different factors that can influence the value of a toby character jug:
- Condition: Minimal wear, no cracks/chips, original paint/glaze intact Subject Matter: Historical figures, celebrities, or cultural references Size & Design: Larger or intricate designs are rarer Manufacturer: Early Staffordshire makers or rare Royal Doulton prototypes Age & Rarity: Older and unique pieces command higher prices
Check out our blog “Why are Royal Doulton Prototypes So Valuable?” for some further reading on why large Royal Doulton prototype jugs are so popular. Here are just a few examples of the toby jugs and character jugs that have fetched a pretty penny under the hammer with Potteries Auctions in recent years:
This Clarice Cliff Newport Large Toby Jug sold for £130 at our December 2023 20th-century pottery, collectables and jewellery auction.
Lot 453 was a large rare Royal Doulton prototype character jug titled ‘Neil Armstrong: The Astronaut’ that sold for a spectacular £3,900 at our two-day auction back in March 2021.
This set of two larger Royal Doulton Toby jugs of Cliff Cornel & The Huntsman found a hammer price of £110 at our October 2023 auction.
Lot 599 back at our September 2023 auction was a large limited edition Ashtead Potters Johnnie Walker Toby Jug that sold for an impressive £320.
This wonderful large Royal Doulton prototype character jug of Marilyn Monroe found a new home with a happy collector for an amazing £3,100 back in March 2022.
From the same auction, this large Royal Doulton prototype character jug of Winston Churchill sold for a whopping £3,400.
This Wilkinson’s Toby Jug of King George V fetched a hammer price of £140 back in the summer at our three-day July 2023 auction.
Lot 431 from our May 2023 auction was this Kevin Francis Figural Toby Jug of Worf from Star Trek, selling for a brilliant £120.
This lot of two limited edition Kevin Francis toby jugs of Margaret Thatcher & Queen Elizabeth II sold for £130 at our September 2022 auction.
Selling your toby jug at auction
If you have a toby jug for auction, get in touch and we can help you with a valuation. Free valuation days are held every Tuesday and Wednesday at our Silverdale saleroom, where our friendly team of experts can value your character jug and any other items to help you consign them to auction. To book an appointment, use our online booking form here.
If you can’t come in and see us in person but would like to submit items for auction or valuation, send us an email to enquiries@potteriesauctions.com with details and a photograph (eg make, model, model number, measurements, condition) and one of our experts will provide information and auction estimates. Alternatively, give us a call on 01782 638100 to arrange an appointment. We can even value your items via WhatsApp – simply send some clear pictures of your items via the app to 07864 667940.
FAQ
Yes — while many later mass-produced examples have modest value, rare Toby Jugs and character jugs can achieve strong auction prices. Early Staffordshire pieces and Royal Doulton prototypes are particularly sought after by collectors.
Values vary depending on age, maker, rarity, and condition. Some examples sell for £50–£200, while rare or prototype character jugs can realise several thousand pounds at auction.
Some are. Although many were produced in large numbers, early issues, limited editions, and prototype Royal Doulton character jugs are highly collectable and regularly attract competitive bidding.
Yes. Cracks, chips, or restoration can reduce value, although rare examples may still attract collector interest.
Yes — clear photographs showing the front, base marks, and condition usually allow specialists to provide an initial valuation.
Auction is often the best route for rare or collectable Toby Jugs, as specialist collectors actively compete for desirable examples.
You can:
Submit images through our online valuation form
Send photos via WhatsApp 07864 667940
Book an in-person appointment
Email: enquiries@potteriesauctions.com