February 1, 2021

By BRIAN KRAPF

Toby jugs have long been popular collectables. Originally developed in Staffordshire in the eighteenth century, a Toby, also sometimes known as a Fillpot (or Philpot), is a pottery jug traditionally in the form of a seated person, or the head of a recognizable person. Churchill “Tobys” have long been among the most popular, and many different designs have found their way to the market since the Second World War. This piece, however, is unique.

This toby was made during the war by Cooper Clayton of Staffordshire. The name “Churchill” is etched into the back—as if there could ever be any doubt as to the identity of the cigar-smoking, determined face! Cooper Clayton made the piece in two sizes, four and six inches. This little toby has found its way into many collections and is readily found in the marketplace. It is a very nice representative of wartime Churchill ceramics.

Brian Krapf’s book We Want Winston!—A Treasury of Churchill Memorabilia will be published by Pen and Sword later this year.