
Fergus Gambon
Director
Sold for £35,250 inc. premium
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Head of Sale
Provenance
Mackintosh Collection, Sotheby's sale, 2 May 1967, lot 54
Sotheby's sale, 18 October 1988
James and Timmey Challenger Collection, Chicago
Illustrated by Sir Harold Mackintosh, Bt, Early English Figure Pottery (1938), p.39, no.91 and by Vic Shuler, Collecting British Toby Jugs (2nd Edn, 1994), p.110 where it is described as the most expensive Toby sold at auction at the time of writing. This lot is one of two 'Fiddlers' owned by Mackintosh, the other was sold by Bonhams on 5 June 2019, lot 110. Mackintosh considered them as a pair despite differences in colouring and the placing of a large jug to the left of the Fiddler in the present lot.
A single mould was used for many of these smaller 'Midshipman' jugs. Common features include a distinctive necktie and partially unbuttoned waistcoat as well as the curious ribbon used to secure the hair at the back. The epaulettes on the shoulders may have been positioned there to secure a good join during the firing process. Vic Schuler, Collecting British Toby Jugs (3rd Edn, 1999), p.56 lists eleven recorded small-sized 'Fiddler' jugs. This lot appears to be the only example which retains its original cover.