This English earthenware mug from the late 18th century, created with the practical joker in mind, has a fun secret: a fake frog inside seems poised to leap at the face of the unsuspecting user—a sort of precursor of the ice cube with the fake fly. Fill the mug with a dark liquid, hand to a friend, then enjoy the show. One can only guess how much joy the reaction gave the joker.  

Tyler Johnson, Estate Guide

Frog Mug

England, 1770-1790

Gift of Osborne R. and Mary M. Soverel in memory of Lilian Wilkinson Boschen, 1992.0040