Large McKinley as Napoleon Satiric Pitcher (Circa 1896) – Alfred B. Evans, 11" Painted Ironstone Toby, Rare Political Caricature

 This circa 1896 satiric ironstone pitcher is one of the most striking examples of 19th‑century American political commentary. Created by Alfred B. Evans of Philadelphia, this large 11-inch “McKinley as Napoleon” toby pitcher lampoons President William McKinley, who was widely criticized for his imperialist policies. Here, McKinley is humorously portrayed as the fallen French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, making the piece both a collectible ceramic and a vivid political caricature.

Evans produced this pitcher in several sizes—from 6 inches to 11 inches—and in both undecorated and painted versions. The 11-inch painted model, offered here, is the largest and rarest of the series and is significantly harder to find than the smaller variants.

This example is in excellent condition, showing no chips, cracks, or repairs, with the expected overall crazing and minor manufacturing anomalies typical of 19th‑century ironstone. Large American toby pitchers were produced in very limited numbers, making this political example especially desirable for collectors of American ceramics, political memorabilia, and satirical art.

A rare opportunity to acquire a top-tier, museum-worthy example of late‑19th‑century American political satire.

Keywords: McKinley as Napoleon pitcher, Alfred B. Evans toby, 1896 political caricature, antique ironstone pitcher, American toby jug, satirical ceramic, McKinley imperialism collectible, rare 19th century pitcher, painted ironstone toby.