Bidspirit auction | New Jersey Relief-Molded Rockingham-Glazed Toby

New Jersey Relief-Molded Rockingham-Glazed Toby Mug with Frog, Attributed to Daniel Regan - New Jersey Relief-Molded Rockingham-Glazed Toby Mug with Frog, Attributed to Daniel Regan Thick syrupy mottled Rockingham glaze with sparse blue flint enamel accents over buff/yellowware body, cylindrical molded form decorated in relief with images of a portly Toby seemingly holding a razor and brush on either side, indistinct foliage embossed at front to hide the mold seam, white-glazed interior with a molded frog in the bottom having holes punched for eyes, applied molded branch handle, reversed letter ”R” in relief on underside. Fourth quarter 19th century. Dimensions: 4” H, 4 1/4” D base. Condition: Excellent overall condition with minor interior staining and a discolored repair to a minor flake on inner edge of rim. Some roughness to base edge, as made. Provenance: The Stradling Study Collection. Purchased from Paul Mellizer, 03/17/1978. Catalogue Note: This piece can be considered a ”younger” descendent of the mugs in the previous two lots. The reversed ”R” on the base is supposedly associated with longtime Swan Hill employee Daniel Regan (Branin 1988, p. 201). Regan was born in Ireland in 1854 and apparently may have been working at Swan Hill by 1870, since the name ”Daniel Regan” appears on their payroll that year (Leibowitz 2002, p. 35) and there is a pitcher signed by ”Daniel Regan” from August of that year (see Crocker Farm's Spring 2024 auction, lot 277). There is some confusion here though, since his father was also named Daniel. The younger Regan would continue to work in South Amboy's potteries for decades - a fantastically glazed puzzle jug is known, signed ”Daniel Regan / South Amboy” and dated June 1st 1892 (see Nye & Co.'s January 21st, 2026 auction, lot 181). There is even a plaster mold for a frog, incised with his initials and dated 1893 (Branin 1988, p. 163). Regan would later become involved with the Bay View Pottery starting in 1894, and then even later, the South Amboy Terra Cotta Company (ibid, pg. 230-231). He was listed as a ”Terra Cotta Presser” in the 1915 census, and by the time of the 1920 census, he had finally retired. Back to this frog mug - a presentation shaving mug version is known which shares a number of traits with the present example including the reversed ”R” in relief, the white interior lining, and the generally indistinct molding. That example has a particular style of applied white lettering characteristic of ”late” Swan Hill style production (probably from the period of J.L. Rue's ownership onwards), and it is dated 1881. This would seem to support the ”late” date of the ”reverse R” molded items, as well as the more general theory that they can be associated with Daniel Regan specifically as the modeller (or at least, the maker of their molds). Other known pieces with the reversed ”R” marking include Swan Hill type ”Riders” pitchers, a Rebekah teapot, and a spittoon. Auctioneer's Note: We are thrilled to bring the Stradling Study Collection to market in partnership with Connor Rush of SFR Antiques, whose help and scholarship enabled the completion of this session's catalogue. A bibliography for the sale can be found here: ( https://bit.ly/3RYodeh ). For questions about lots 1 through 111 in this sale, or for help accessing the bibliography, please reach out to connor@nyeandcompany.com. Condition: Condition reports are not provided in catalog descriptions. The absence of a condition report does not guarantee that the lot is in good condition or free from damage and wear. We encourage you to request a condition report and/or additional photos prior to bidding on any lot. We also recommend asking for a shipping quote before bidding. CASH, CASHIER CHECK, MONEY ORDER, AND WIRE TRANSFER ARE THE ONLY METHODS OF PAYMENT ACCEPTED FOR JEWELRY.