American Toby Jug Museum 

Mephistopheles double-faced candle holder produced by Royal Doulton of Burslem, England, circa 1900. The medieval legend of how the alchemist, Dr. Faustus, "sells his soul" to the Devil has been adapted throughout the centuries by many poets, playwrights and musicians. Yet it is perhaps Wolfgang von Goethe who has left the annals of literature with the most memorable image of Mephistopheles as a sorcerer, descendent from chaos and spirit of negation. A fully characterized human devil, Mephistopheles is portrayed as an intellectual, philosopher and wit. At times almost compassionate, this master of irony skillfully switches moods from the dangerously meek and charming to the jeering, mocking seducer of men's souls. The Mephistopheles candle holder is a pair with a Marguerite candle holder. The English registration number 294065 on the bottom dates the design to 1897.