American Toby Jug Museum 

Chopin character jug produced by Lancaster and Sandland of Hanley, England, circa 1940. Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) was born in Poland. Growing up in Warsaw, his despair over the political repression in Poland, coupled with his musical ambitions, led him to move to Paris in 1831. He quickly established himself as a private teacher and salon performer. His legendary artist's image was enhanced by frail health caused by tuberculosis, attractive looks, and the piquancy attached to self-exile. A master of small musical forms and a great creator of melody, Chopin's lyrical, often melancholy compositions brought romantic piano music to unprecedented heights of expressiveness. He died of tuberculosis in Paris on October 17, 1849. Among Chopin's most famous works are his Concertos in E Minor and F Minor, Sonatas in B Flat Minor and B Minor, two sets of etudes, and more than fifteen polonaises.