American Toby Jug Museum 

Bear Baiting toby jug holding post produced in Staffordshire circa 1840. Bear-baiting was a popular English sport from the 12th until the 19th century. Arenas for the sport were called bear-gardens consisting of a circular high fenced area with a pit and raised seating for spectators. A post was set in the ground towards the edge of the pit and the bear chained to it. Several well-trained fighting or baiting dogs would then be set on it fighting until they got tired or were wounded or killed. This bear is holding the post he is chained to.