Object of the Day: Mr. Punch’s Dog, Toby, Radiator Cap

We’ve discussed Toby before. Many times, in fact. Toby is Mr. Punch’s dog and remains a part of the puppet show to this day. Originally, Toby was portrayed in the show by a real terrier who was replaced with a puppet version because, well, terriers don’t enjoy being a part of a puppet show. Within the world of Punch & Judy, Toby starts out as Mr. Scaramouche’s dog, but finds an affinity for Mr. Punch upon realizing that the latter is in possession of sausages. Sure, they’re made out of a baby, but Toby doesn’t care. He’s not picky. Though Toby bites Mr. Punch’s nose (“Oh, my beautiful nose. My handsome nose!” Punch cries out), the two strike up a friendship. This relationship between Punch and Toby, historically, is enduring and dear Punch is often depicted with his terrier friend showing that the slap-sticking fiend has a soft and domestic side, after all. As befits a dog in the company of Mr. Punch, Toby wears a ruff (often gold to match Mr. Punch’s costume, but, in the Victorian era, usually a nice robin’s egg blue) and matching tam.

Toby has an art historical life of his own—separate from Mr. Punch. Toby has been the figural subject for many objects ranging from jugs (Tobies) to match strikers/holders. And, as we can see here, he also makes a fine hood ornament/radiator cap.

I’m not sure to when this exactly dates, but this hood ornament, I’d guess is from the late 1920’s to early 1930’s. He’s made of bronze. The figure shows Toby seated squarely on a turned plinth. Being a radiator cap, he’s fitted with a hollow from the base through his nose, so that when steam escapes, it puffs from his nose. I’m sure Punch would approve.