Q: Can you tell me anything about a very unusual pottery pig I bought recently for £18 at a junk shop? It is comic-looking, with lots of black spots on the body, and the head is removable and stands on the nose to form a cup!

Mrs A

A: You certainly picked up a bargain -- this pig is worth about £100. It was made about 50 years ago by the Sussex Pottery in Rye, and was based on a much older design. Traditionally, this novelty mug was used to toast the bride and groom at country weddings -- and the phrase " a hogshead of beer" may have stemmed from this practice.