Online Auction: Assorted Collectibles & Jewellery – Featuring Majolica Vase and Amber Pieces and furniture
Lot 88:
An Antique Polychrome Painted Cast Iron Still Bank of a Cottage with Bears and Beehive Category: Metalware
Description
An antique polychrome painted cast iron novelty still bank, likely of American or European origin, dating to the late 19th or early 20th century. The piece is intricately cast in the form of a rustic cottage or grotto, embellished with high-relief floral and foliate motifs. At the centre, a prominent beehive is flanked by two figures of bears. The structure is surmounted by an ornate, multi-tiered finial. The bank retains a muted palette of original green, orange, blue, and yellow paint. The reverse is designed with a flat back finished in black, while the base features a perforated design secured by a single central slotted screw. This type of decorative money box reflects the Victorian fascination with whimsical and naturalistic themes in domestic metalware. Total height: approximately 9 inches.
Condition report:
The piece exhibits significant paint loss and surface wear across the polychrome finish, consistent with age and handling. There is evidence of light oxidation on the exposed cast iron surfaces. The structure remains sound with no apparent cracks or repairs. The original securing screw is present.
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