Antique Lead Donkey Hinged Brown Saddle Penny Bank From Germany Niagara Falls Souvenir
Description: Antique and rather scarce very nice penny bank. The bank which is made of lead, was most likely made in Germany and depicts a donkey with its head tilted to the left and having a rectangular brown saddle with a colorful blanket under it. The saddle is hinged and is secured with a latch to a loop on the blanket. The hinged saddle is held in place with a miniature lock for which we do not have a key. The bank's coin slot is on top of the saddle. This bank was most likely produced in Germany during the late 1800s and early 1900s. It is very well preserved and shows the details of the hair, eyes, mouth, ears and hoofs. It shows an off-white colored blanket with red border under the saddle. The brown rectangular saddle has written on it "NIAGARA FALLS" in black colored letters. This is a very nice piece with great details and colors and is very well preserved with minimum loss of paint. The donkey itself is gray colored and showing the hair on its body with raised details. His eyes are red with dark pupils, the rectangular saddle has black writing. Since we were unable to open the bank we are uncertain what it looks like inside. The coin slot is on the saddle on the donkey's back. This is a very nice looking penny or coin bank in very good condition. Please see page 85 in Andy and Susan Moor's Book "The Penny Bank Book: Collecting Still Banks" Published by Schiffer Books in 1984, for a photo of a similar example. Please carefully review photos as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: Late 1800's to early 1900's.
Origin: Germany.
Size: The bank measures ~5 1/4" long, ~2" at its widest point and is ~5 1/4" at its highest point. The piece weighs about 9 ounces.
Maker: Unknown.
Marks: Unmarked as to the maker.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: This is a great and fairly scarce penny bank which would make a nice addition to your collection.
Condition: The bank is in very good condition. It has no breaks and no repairs. The blanket on the back of the donkey and the harness on its head may have been repainted as evidenced by residual off-white coloring on the donkey's chest and bottom as well as some running red below the edge of the blanket and brown on the donkey's face. The hinged top which would open to remove the coins is locked using a miniature lock for which we do not have a key. The piece displays some losses of paint which can be seen in the photos. The paint losses are most pronounced on top of the saddle and at various spots on the body all of which can be seen in the photos. Please view photos to appreciate beauty of this beautiful bank and for additional condition information.
