This Toby mug is a portrait in pearlware of John Liston as Paul Pry, a theatrical role that was popular in the early 19th century. The following is some information about the actor and the play.

Paul Pry (1825), a farce in three acts, was the most notable play written by 19th century English playwright John Poole. It premiered in London on 1825-09-13[1] at the Haymarket Theatre and ran 114 performances.[2] The play continued to be popular until the early 1870s.

Synopsis
The storyline is centered around a comical, idle, meddlesome and mischievous fellow consumed with curiosity. Unable to mind his own business, he's an interfering busybody who conveniently leaves behind an umbrella everywhere he goes in order to have an excuse to return and eavesdrop. At the end, however, Pry becomes a hero for rescuing papers from a well that incriminate more serious troublemakers.[3][4] [5] Cherry Ripe, the 17th century English folk song to words by the English poet Robert Herrick, is adapted into the play.[2]
Analysis
Rumors abounded that the Pry character was based on the eccentric Thomas ("Tommy") Hill, editor of the Dramatic Mirror, who took daily walks with Poole at Kensington Gardens.[6] However, Poole was quoted in magazines as saying,
"The idea was really suggested by an old invalid lady who lived in a very narrow street, and who amused herself by speculating on the neighbors, and identifying them, as it were, by the sound of the knocks they gave... It was not drawn from an individual, but from a class. I could mention five or six persons who were contributors to the original play."[7]
Productions
In the original 1825 London production, Madame Vestris sang "Cherry Ripe",[2] and John Liston portrayed the title character. His costume included striped pants, hessian boots, top hat, and tailcoat. Liston's portrayal was so popular that images of Liston as Pry appeared on signs, shops, warehouses, handkerchiefs, and snuff boxes. Porcelain and pearlware factories in Staffordshire, Rockingham, Derby and Worcestershire produced figurines of Liston as Pry. The Liston as Pry image was even stamped on butter.[8][5]
The following year, in 1826, the play was produced in New York City at the Park Theatre, featuring Thomas Hilson.[9]
It returned to London's Adelphi Theatre, for the 1851-52 season, featuring Edward Wright and Sarah Woolgar, receiving extensive, positive press comment.[10]
The play wasn't produced in Australia until Friday, 1890-12-19, when it premiered at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, featuring John Lawrence Toole.[11]

5¼" tall, in overglaze enamel colors, and in excellent condition.