A Late 19thC Cast Iron Money Box Modelled as a Standing Black Bear
SOLD
Origin: English
Period: Late Nineteenth Century
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1880
Height: 6 inches
Depth: 2 inches
Width: 2.75 inches
Coin Slot: 1.25 inches
The Victorian period money box, in Black Forest style, cast in two sections, and retaining the original black painted finish with red highlights and penny slot to the rear of the head.
There are few light surface blemishes, but the piece has not been over cleaned, re-painted or restored and there are no chips or cracks or any signs of loss.
The oldest find of a money box dates from 2nd century B.C. Greek colony Priene, Asia Minor, and features the shape of a little Greek temple with a slit in the pediment. Money boxes of various forms were also excavated in Pompeii and Herculaneum. The money box or piggy bank eventually became popular throughout England as a whimsical "money-saving" device for young children and are now desirable collectors items.
A tactile and charming money box, this dancing bear, who we’ve named Bolo, will house and guard your pennies in typically protective black bear style.