Royal Doulton flambe Toby jug. 7 inches (17.8 cm). This was issued in 1995. It was part of a limited edition of 1,750 (this is numbered 280). It was the second jug produced in the flambe style. With certificate of authenticity. It features the yin and yang symbol, and a book of his teachings, called The Analects. Pen in photo for scale only. About the history of these pieces. Schroeders 2012 Antiques Price Guide states that the Toby jug dates back to the 18th century, when factories in England produced them to export to the American colonies. The American Toby Jug Museum in Chicago notes that there are competing theories for the origin of the name Toby Jug. One is that it was named after the character of Sir Toby Belch in Shakespeare’s play, Twelfth Night. The French word tope means to drink hard i. Other stories suggest it was named after a notorious 18th-century Yorkshire drinker, Henry Elwes, who was known as Toby Fillpot (or Philpot), and was inspired by an old English drinking song, The Brown Jug, which paid tribute to Toby Fillpot, whose ashes were made into Tobys jug. The verses were first published in 1761. The Toby was fashioned in the form of a jolly fellow, often holding a jug of beer or a glass. Early pieces were made with considerable attention to detail, some even including fingernails and teeth. Staffordshire, England, was the long-time headquarters for manufacturing. If the exact provenance is known and/or different it is indicated. These pieces are from the collection of a long-time enthusiast in the U. They come from a smoke-free home. The item “Confucius, Royal Doulton flambe Toby jug, D7003 + certificate of authenticity” is in sale since Thursday, August 22, 2019. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Decorative Collectibles\Decorative Collectible Brands\Royal Doulton\Character, Toby Jugs”. The seller is “furgus865″ and is located in Long Beach, Washington. This item can be shipped to United States.