Vintage Staffordshire Character Gentleman Jug

Updated September 22, 2026

ABV500 <br> <br>Description: <br> <br>A mid-20th century Staffordshire character jug by Shorter & Son Ltd, depicting a seated gentleman with tankard. This piece combines functional form with whimsical design, making it a classic example of British ceramic character ware—appealing to collectors of vintage pottery and decorative folk-style objects. <br> <br>This piece is a ceramic character jug modelled as a seated gentleman, rendered in a playful, almost naive style. <br> <br>The figure is shown seated, holding what appears to be a black tankard or mug - He wears: <br> <br>A black tricorn-style hat, A blue coat, Yellow breeches, Black shoes. The face features rosy cheeks, a smiling expression, and simplified features, giving it a folk-art charm. The handle is formed at the back, and the spout is integrated into the rim at the top <br> <br>Maker & Origin: <br> <br>Marked on the base <br>“Ceramie Staffordshire Hand Painted Shorter & Son Ltd England” <br>Produced by Shorter & Son Ltd, a well-known Staffordshire pottery firm <br>Made in Staffordshire, England’s historic center for ceramic production <br> <br>Date: <br> <br>Likely produced mid-20th century (circa 1940s–1960s) <br>This style of character jug was especially popular in post-war Britain <br> <br>Style & Subject: <br> <br>Represents a traditional English tavern or colonial-era gentleman, possibly inspired by: <br>18th-century attire (tricorn hat) <br>Pub or drinking culture (tankard) <br>The design leans toward decorative folk character rather than a specific historical figure <br> <br>Material & Technique: <br> <br>Glazed earthenware <br>Hand-painted details, visible in the expressive face and clothing <br>Bold color blocking typical of mid-century British ceramics <br> <br>Visible: <br> <br>Crazing and staining to the glaze, especially on the face <br>Some wear to the rim and edges <br>Minor surface imperfections and age-related marks <br>These are typical for vintage pieces of this type <br> <br>Measures approx. 3?

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