History of the Gluggle Pitcher

Gluggle jugs, with their distinctive fish shape, have become synonymous with Dartmouth pottery. Called ‘Gluggle’ due to their characteristic ‘glug glug’ sound when poured, they were originally made in Staffordshire in the 1870s. Thomas Forester & Sons designed the unusual shape of the fish along with other unique designs on pottery and vases, which are They became popular household items.

Over time the design of the jugs passed through various manufacturers, arriving at Royal Winton Grimwade in the 1930s.

However, after World War II, wartime restrictions limited how much they could make from the materials they had. Demand was still high, so they needed to find a manufacturer that could supply them with what they needed. Dartmouth Pottery had only recently opened and did not have the same restrictions that Royal Winton Grimwade was burdened with. A society was created; Dartmouth Pottery would mold the jugs ready to be decorated by Royal Winton Grimwade.

For the next 20 years, Dartmouth Pottery became well associated with the Gluggle Jugs, even making their own design called the Cod Fish Jug. However, this was generally viewed as a commercial failure due to the tail’s tendency to break off. Despite this initial drawback, by 1958 Dartmouth Pottery was selling and marketing the Gluggle Jugs as their own, with the slogan ‘A jug that gurgles’. At that time, the Britannia Royal Naval College commissioned a pair of jugs to be made and presented to the Queen and Prince Philip. As such, they were in great demand, and jugs of various sizes and colors became collector’s items.

Dartmouth Pottery continued to successfully produce and sell the Gluggle jug, creating a long-standing association between this South Devon port and the unusual but charming fish-shaped jug. In keeping with their geographical connection, in later years Plymouth Gin commissioned the jugs to advertise their drink.

In 2002, Dartmouth Pottery closed and jug making moved, more than 100 years after its inception, to its original Staffordshire home. Wade Ceramics now produces the jugs, many of which are exported to the US. Pitchers dating from earlier days, particularly those made by Thomas Forester & Sons in the late 19th century, are highly prized collector’s items. Many country and home supply stores stock Gluggle jugs, sometimes called Glug Glug jugs, if you were interested in purchasing them. They are not hard to find and add a unique touch to any home decor.