Uncle Tom Cobley character jug produced with a musical movement by Devonia Pottery of Exeter, England, circa 1940. Uncle Tom Cobley is one of the traveling companions mentioned in the Devon folk song "Widecombe Fair" about a man named Tom Pearce, whose horse dies after someone borrows it to travel to the fair in Widecombe with his friends. Its chorus ends with a long list of the people travelling to the fair: "Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all." Some research suggests that the names originally referred to real people. This character jug has a musical movement built into the base that plays the tune "Widecombe Fair".
Maker:
Devonia Pottery
England
circa 1940
Model #:
Widecombe Fair Series
musical jug
Size:
medium
Height:
5"
