American Toby Jug Museum 

The Village Blacksmith figural pitcher modeled by Ernest T. Bailey and produced by Burgess & Leigh of Burslem, England, circa 1955. "The Village Blacksmith" is a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, first published in 1840. The poem describes a local blacksmith and his daily life. Noted as being strong, he works by the sweat of his brow and does not owe anyone anything. Children coming home from school stop to stare at him as he works, impressed by the roaring bellows and burning sparks. On Sundays, the blacksmith, a single father after the death of his wife, takes his children to church, where his daughter sings in the village choir. He goes through his life following the daily tasks assigned to him and has earned his sleep at night. The blacksmith serves as a role model who balances his job with the role he plays with his family and community. The trunk of the chestnut tree forms the handle of the pitcher.