Ye Olde Tyme Teapot (Toby Jug Style Teapot)
Ceramic teapot, slip-cast teapot • Price & Kensington Potteries (Stoke-on-Trent, England)
Style & Movement
Mid-Century English Pottery / Vernacular Revival Style
Medium & Technique
Earthenware with Rockingham-style brown glaze and silver luster (overglaze platinum or metallic pigment decorations)
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century (Circa 1940-1960)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 6 to 7 inches in height; standard household teapot format
Subject Description
The teapot depicts a seated 'Toby' figure in 18th-century attire, likely intended to represent a traditional jolly character. It features a molded spout resembling bamboo or a tree trunk and a handle with similar twig-like textures. The glaze is a rich tortoiseshell brown (Rockingham type) with silver-toned highlights tracing the edges of the hat, clothes, and spout.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. There is significant wear to the silver luster painting on the handle, spout, and rim, exposing the underlying dark glaze.
Estimated Market Value
$25 - $45 USD
Auction Estimate
$20 - $40 USD
Provenance History
Mass-produced in the potteries of Longport, Burslem, England. Likely purchased as a domestic household item or souvenir in the mid-century period.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the industrial heritage of Staffordshire pottery. While mass-produced, it reflects the enduring British popularity of character-based ceramics and the evolution of Price Brothers and Kensington Potteries after their merger in 1962 (though this design likely predates the merger).
Notable Features
Distinguished by the 'Rockingham' brown glaze which mimics 18th-century styles and the contrasting silver-colored accents which were popular in mid-century English novelty teapots.
Condition Issues
Abrasions to the metallic luster (rubbing), potential crazing under the glaze (common for earthenware of this age), and minor surface scratches.
Conservation Recommendations
Hand wash only with mild soap; avoid abrasive cleaners or silver polish which will further strip the metallic decoration. Display away from direct sunlight to prevent further glaze stress.
Collector Notes
Price & Kensington England