The Unique Mug You Can Thrift That Vintage Collectors Are Obsessed With

Unique mugs have a special kind of pull with enthusiastic thrifters. Whether you're just looking to increase your collection of oddities or interested in investing in valuable pieces, Toby Mugs are one type of mug you should never skip if you see it at the thrift. These peculiar pieces are a variation of 18th century English Toby Jugs, which are popular collectibles that can sell for tens of thousands of dollars. Toby Mugs, however, are generally cheaper than the original Toby Jugs, though they remain a unique find that vintage collectors are obsessed with. They were only invented in the 1920s and, although the two terms are now used interchangeably, they are very different products. 

Unlike the jugs that depict a person's full body — typically a bibulous man holding a beer and a cigar or pipe, and wearing a tricorn hat that doubles as a pouring spout — the mugs only show their face. Also commonly referred to as character mugs, this whimsical drinkware comes both in the shape of British working men and women from the 17th and 18th centuries and of historical and pop culture icons like Winston Churchill and John Lennon. Mugs or jugs, their mass appeal paved the way for cheap reproductions, which decreased the value of pieces made closer to the 20th century. This means you can find some real gems at bargain prices at your favorite antiques dealer. 

If you love Toby Mugs for their unique form and the funny-looking characters they depict, the only thing you need to worry about when scouring your local thrift store is your personal taste and the state of the piece. It's best to avoid cracks and chips, but if you fall particularly hard for an imperfect Toby Mug, that's okay, too. These mugs should only be used for décor, anyway, since the glaze in vintage dishware almost always contains lead. However, Toby Mugs were still being produced well into the 1990s and the early 21st century, by which time lead was heavily regulated in the U.K. If you can't date your mug, you can check your vintage drinkware for lead using at-home test kits. 

For collectors on the look-out for bargains and treasures, the best way to avoid counterfeit Toby Mugs is to look for manufacturer marks or proof of age. Though there were hundreds of companies making Toby Jugs from the 18th to the 20th century, such as Ralph Wood, Whieldon, Walton, and Astbury, it was Royal Doulton that popularized character mugs in the latter's earlier decades. Most products from this maker will contain a circular mark that will help you authenticate your latest thrifting find. With the Royal Doulton logo evolving throughout the decades, knowing its different designs will also help you date your piece. Pay close attention to the curved lines on each side of the circle. If they're long, you're dealing with an antique from the first half of the century; if they're shorter and thicker, your mug is 60 years old at maximum.