A very rare 'Bargeman' Toby Jug, circa 1790A very rare 'Bargeman' Toby Jug, circa 1790Modelled on a rectangular base with a curved front, the back and sides applied with portrait medallions above swags of laurel leaves, an anchor resting between his legs, standing and holding a flask in his left hand and a small glass in his right, wearing a grey jacket and blue waistcoat and pantaloons, his shoes and shallow hat picked out in brown, 24.5cm highProvenanceBute Collection, Christie's, 8 July 1996, lot 9James and Timmey Challenger Collection, ChicagoAnother example is illustrated by Captain R K Price, Astbury, Whieldon, and Ralph Wood Figures, and Toby Jugs (1922), pl.LI, no.86 where it is suggested that the portrait medallions on the base represent King George III, while the jug represents a waterman of the King's barge. The same example is also illustrated by Vic Schuler, Collecting British Toby Jugs (third edition, 1999), p.71 and discussed at p.27 where it is stated that only four examples of the model are recorded.