American Toby Jug Museum 

John Doulton character jug with 8 o'clock displayed on Big Ben modeled by Eric Griffiths and produced by Royal Doulton of Burslem, England, between 1980-1981 for charter members of the Royal Doulton International Collectors Club. The founder of the Doulton Company, John Doulton (1793-1873), worked long hours as a lad at the local pot works. His industriousness proved to be worthwhile for he soon gained the reputation for being one of the most prolific throwers in London. Having completed his apprenticeship in 1812, he found a job at the Vauxhall pot house in Lambeth owned by Martha Jones. After three years with Mrs. Jones, he and John Watts were taken into partnership in 1815. In 1820 Martha Jones retired and the firm of Doulton & Watts was formed. The pottery flourished due mainly to John Doulton's practical skills and extraordinary capacity for work. Married at the age of twenty-four, he and his wife raised eight children, one of whom, Henry, John's second son, born in 1820, also became a potter and took over the company on John Doulton's death in 1873. The Tower of Big Ben showing eight o'clock forms the handle of this jug.