American Toby Jug Museum 

The Mikado character jug prototype modeled by Max Henk and produced by Royal Doulton of Burslem, England, between 1973-1980. Mikado is the old Japanese title for Emperor. From the seventeenth century, Japan sought to avoid all contact with the West. But in 1854 Commodore Perry negotiated a trade agreement which ended Japan's isolation. Growing contacts between East and West led to a tremendous interest in the West during the nineteenth century in all things Japanese. This fashion for the arts and decorative styles was notably reflected in ceramics and inspired the theme of the W.S Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's highly successful comic operetta, "The Mikado". First performed in 1885, this operetta introduced the Mikado to England and America and was the inspiration for this character jug. A fan forms the handle of this jug. In addition to this large size, a small size (D6507), and miniature size (D6525) were also produced.