American Toby Jug Museum 

The Angel character jug modeled by Martyn C. R. Alcock and produced by Royal Doulton of Burslem, England, in 1996 for the US market. An angel is a benevolent spiritual or celestial being sent to Earth to relay a message to a person, serve as a protector, or help people in their transition into the afterlife. The English word angel comes from the Greek "angelos," meaning messenger. Described in the Bible as an intelligent, immortal species, angels delivered messages from God and served either to harm or help humans. Angels have often been portrayed as having wings so that they could fly from Heaven to earth and back. Angels played a key role in the religious recounting of the birth of Jesus Christ, proclaiming to the shepherds that a holy child was born in Bethlehem. It is common today to associate angels with the celebration of the birth of Jesus during the Christmas season. A harp and bells form the handle of this jug.