Antique Cast Iron Money Box, 1890s

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Antique Cast Iron Money Box by AC Williams, England, 1908
Penny Still Bank Jester

Inspired by the British puppet show … Read more Antique Cast Iron Money Box by AC Williams, England, 1908
Penny Still Bank Jester

Inspired by the British puppet show Punch & Judy, these bank boxes were designed to encourage children to save.

The 1880s and 1920s were the golden age of cast iron money boxes.

They became popular thanks to traveling circuses, Punch & Judy, and Victorian entertainment culture. The Penny Still Bank Jester is a grotesque and comical character with a caricatured face and was very popular on toys and cast iron money boxes.

English money boxes of that era could have discreet manufacturer's marks or be completely unmarked, depending on the manufacturer and the period.

This particular box is made in two halves, with a rough assembly, very visible seam lines, a coin slot, and is hand-painted. It has a slotted screw on the back to open it. This screw allows you to disassemble the piggy bank to remove the coins.

The casting technique used appears to be sand casting, a common method at that time for making iron figures. This process left a slightly rough texture on the surface.

This clown has its original gold and red paint with some wear. The screw on this piggy bank is original and fits perfectly. It stands upright without any problems.

It measures 15 cm high x 6 cm wide x 5 cm deep. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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