American Toby Jug Museum 

John Barleycorn character jug re-modeled by Michael Abberley and produced by Royal Doulton of Burslem, England, in a 1978 limited edition of 7,500. As the personification of malt liquor, the amiable John Barleycorn was popularized by Robert Burns in his renowned poem, "Tam O'Shanter": "Inspiring bold John Barleycorn, What dangers thou canst make us scorn!" Burns represents poor John as being crushed between two millstones and this undoubtedly accounts for the flat-faced shape of the jug! With his merry grin the result of imbibing a bit too much, this gentleman is a familiar figure in old English ballads, including "A Pleasant New Ballad of the Bloody Murther of Sir John Barleycorn", where he is even portrayed as a knight. Note the handle joined at the outside of Barleycorn's head.