American Toby Jug Museum 

Handel character jug modeled by Stanley J. Taylor and produced by Royal Doulton of Burslem, England, between 1997-2001. George Frederick Handel (1685-1759) is known today mainly through his musical compositions called oratorios, of which his most famous is the "Messiah". Born in Halle, Germany, he served as Court Composer to the Elector of Hanover before settling in London and becoming a British subject. Handel suffered from bouts of anxiety and depression possibly caused from lead poisoning due to his imbibing of cheap port. During later years, cataract operations left him completely blind. Much of Handel's reputation today rests on only a small body of work, even though his total output was enormous. Beside the "Messiah", other well known compositions include "Zadok the Priest", performed at every British coronation since George II in 1727; his "Water Music" composed for George I's 1717 barge trip up the Thames River; and "The Music for the Royal Fireworks" to celebrate the 1749 Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle that ended the War of Austrian Succession. The "Music for the Royal Fireworks" is illustrated on the handle of this jug where the stars represent fireworks.