American Toby Jug Museum 

Pearly King toby jug in a large size produced by Shorter & Son of Stoke-on-Trent, England, circa 1950. The Pearly "royals" of the London boroughs were originally Victorian costermongers, street vendors selling fruit and vegetables. These cockneys get their name from their glittering suits, which are studded with hundreds of pearl buttons. This style of dress probably dates from the 1880s when a large cargo of Japanese pearl buttons arrived at the London docks. One bright coster decided to use them to liven up his suit, and the fashion was born. The "royals" wear the most elaborate costumes that can feature as many as 30,000 buttons on one suit. The Pearly King and Queen were formerly elected to safeguard the rights of the London street traders but they now devote their time to raising money for charity. The first Pearly King was Henry Croft. This is a pair with the Pearly Queen toby jug.