American Toby Jug Museum 

Antony & Cleopatra thimbles produced by Francesca China of Longton, England, circa 1985. The conflict between love and ambition made these lovers two of the most star-crossed in history. Marcus Antonius (83-30 B.C.) became an outstanding military leader, but disaster struck when he became captivated with the Queen of his enemy. Cleopatra (68-30 B.C.) was the last of the Ptolemies and ruled Egypt from 51 to 30 B.C. She was renowned for her charm and beauty and her loveliness won the heart of this warrior. Their passionate love affair was entangled, however, with a power struggle for the Roman Empire and their end was tragic. Antony, falsely told that the Queen had taken her life, willingly fell on his sword. Carried into her presence, he tragically died in her arms. Despondent, Cleopatra then bared her breast to the deadly bite of an asp, since she, too, no longer desired life without her lover.